For the period from 1999 to 2003 a central contract for the supply of typistswas in place with Kellys agency.Individual departments may bringin temporary staff from employment agencies outwith these contracts, for examplewhere specific professional skills are required, or to cover work in outlying areas,but this information is not held centrally.Employment agency staff are usedby the Executive to cover temporary staffing needs for a number of reasons includingpressures arising from maternity leave, sick leave, project work, unanticipatedcrisis and critical vacancies.The amount paid by the ScottishExecutive for the hire of temporary staff, under the two centrally managed employmentagency contracts and the contract with Kellys, is set out in the following...