One to one

If Gillian Shephard does not know what binary coding looks like she might want to take a peek at a table produced in a written answer from her department to Adam Ingram. The Labour MP asked her how many professional engineers and scientists were employed at each grade at DFEE headquarters.

A magnificent table was produced for Mr Ingram showing grade seven engineers at HQ numbering no more than one in each of the years up to 1994 after which there have been none at all. For grade 6, a trail of zeros jumps to one for this year and one last year. In 1991, there were two senior professional and technology officers - a mistake quickly rectified for each of the following years with just one such illustrious employee. Do not ask how many scientists.