To ask the Scottish Executive how many senior civil service appointments in the (a) Scottish Office and (b) Scottish Administration in each of the last five years were exceptions, approved by the Civil Service Commissioners, to appointment on merit on the basis of a fair and open competition, broken down by (i) secondments, (ii) re-appointments, (iii) appointments without competition of up to two years, (iv) any other short-term appointments made without open competition, (v) extension of fixed-term contracts and (vi) transfers from other public services.