To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many press officers are employed by the Health Protection Agency. (154141)

There are 21.5 press officers employed by the Health Protection Agency. This includes:

nine regional communications managers (one per region) and three regional press officers (based in the London, eastern and west midlands regions);

five press officers based at the Centre for Infections, Colindale;

3.5 press officers based at the Centre for Radiation, Chemicals and the Environment, Chilton; and

one Head of Strategic Communications Planning: Emergency Preparedness and Response based at the Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Porton.