Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister responsible for Human Resources.

In regards to the number of positions that were staffed through the use of direct appointment:

1. What was the number of direct appointments

made in each department during this fiscal year to date and fiscal year 2008-2009?

2. What reasons were given for the appointments

being made directly?

3. What was the number of positions that were

vacant up to and/or at the time of the direct appointment in each of these years?

4. What was the number of direct appointments

that were made after the staging of competitive staffing actions in each of these years?

Mahsi.