To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what expert advisers have been commissioned by his Department and its agencies since 1997; on what topic each was commissioned; and whether the adviser so appointed made a declaration of political activity in each case. (246962)

Information on advisers since 1997 is not held centrally and to compile a list, as requested, would incur disproportionate cost. The Department does make public appointments to public and ad-hoc bodies, and appoints special advisers. Since 2003, the Government have published an annual list detailing the number and costs of special advisers and the number in each pay band. Updated information will be published in the usual way.