To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what he expects the estimated annual cost to be of (a) expenses, (b) salary, (c) office space, (d) administrative support and (e) special advisers for Lord Jones of Birmingham in his capacity as Minister of State. (163488)

Lord Jones is Minister of State for Trade and Investment jointly with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and draws the ministerial salary appropriate to a Lords Minister of State.

There are three full-time equivalent staff directly employed to support Lord Jones. Two members of the administrative support staff are paid for by BERR, the other is paid for by the FCO. Information on the cost of Lord Jones’ support staff cannot be provided as to do so could identify an individual’s salary, which is confidential between the individual and the employer.

Office costs will be accounted for in the 2007-08 departmental annual report and accounts.

Lord Jones has no special advisers.