Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many apprentices employed by (a) her Department and (b) its executive agencies and associated bodies are aged (i) 16 to 18, (ii) 19 to 24 and (iii) 25 years or older; and how many of those apprentices employed in each form of body and of each age group were previously employed by the Government.

DFID does not currently participate in the Civil Service Apprenticeship Scheme. However, DFID is involved in Civil Service work experience opportunities for those who are not in employment, education or training and the following initiatives:

· Civil Service Generalist Fast Stream

· Whitehall Internship Programme (2 week work experience)

· Whitehall Event for Year 9 Student

· Informal Internships

· Summer Diversity Internship Programme

· Work experience Placements with Job Centre Plus