To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been paid in bonuses to civil servants in his Department in each year since 2006.

Payment of non-consolidated, variable pay linked to performance was introduced in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2002. We reward staff who are performing most effectively, frequently in dangerous and difficult posts.

For the total sums paid as non-consolidated, variable pay linked to performance in 2006-07, I refer the hon. Member to the reply by my right hon. Friend Mr. Murphy to David Simpson on 5 July 2007, Hansard, column 1142W

For 2007-08 the total paid was £6,748,152 and for 2008-09 the total paid was £7,571,836.