To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many press and communications officers are employed by (a) his Department, (b) non-departmental public bodies and (c) its agencies. (230763)

The information requested is as follows:

(a) There are currently 12 permanent Press Officers and one temporary Press Officer supplied through the Central Office of Information in the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. There are 30 Communications Officers employed by the Department in its central communications function.

(b) and (c) For much of its business, the Department operates through a number of arm’s length bodies including 20 non-departmental public bodies and other agencies. It is the responsibility of each body to manage its staff and costs. Therefore the Department does not hold the information requested centrally and there would be a disproportionate cost to gather the information requested.