To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many special advisers were employed in his Department at each pay band on 30 November 2008; and what his Department's total expenditure on special advisers was in 2007-08. (243572)

Since 2003, the Government have published on an annual basis the names and numbers of special advisers in each pay band. For the most recent information I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister on 22 July 2008, Official Report, columns 99-101WS.

Information on the employment of special advisers prior to 2003 was provided at regular intervals and is available in the Library.