To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many press officers are employed by the (a) Rural Payments Agency and (b) Forestry Commission. (154482)

The Rural Payments Agency employs one person who spends half of their time on press office tasks.

The Forestry Commission is a cross border body and has two press officers for GB and International issues and two press officers for England. In addition a further communications professional provides cover for holidays and weekends.