asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list the number and salaries of political appointees in each Government Department since 1st March 1974.

The numbers of special advisers appointed in each Government Department since 1st March are as follows:

Cabinet Office	2
No. 10 Downing Street (Civil Service Department)	9
Department of Education and Science	1
Department of Energy	3
Department of the Environment	3
Foreign and Commonwealth Office	2
Department of Health and Social Security	4
Home Office	3
Department of Industry	3
Northern Ireland Office	1
Ministry of Overseas Development	3
Department of Prices and Consumer Protection	3
Privy Council Office	2
Department of Trade	2
Treasury	2
Welsh Office	1

Of these 15 have resigned. The estimated cost of the salaries of these special advisers who are still serving is £165,000 per annum. The estimated annual cost of the salaries of those who have resigned was £75,000.