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Ministerial Policy Advisers: Public Relations

Volume 488: debated on Tuesday 3 March 2009

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many Government special advisers there were whose primary role was in dealing with the media (a) in 1997 and (b) at the most recent date for which information is available; (258606)

(2) with reference to paragraph 72 of his Department’s memorandum to the House of Lords Select Committee on Communications of 14 October 2008, who the 13 special advisers were in post at 17 September 2008 who were employed primarily in the area of communications;

(3) with reference to paragraph 72 of his Department’s memorandum presented to the House of Lords Communications Select Committee inquiry into Government communication of 14 October 2008, how many special advisers were employed primarily in the area of communications in 1996.

The Government are committed to publishing an annual statement on the names and cost of special advisers. Information for the financial year 2007-08 was published on 22 July 2008, Official Report, column 99WS. Information for 2008-09 will be published as soon as it is ready after the end of the financial year.

The most up to date information held in respect of special advisers who are employed primarily in the area of communications remains as set out in the Cabinet Office memorandum to the House of Lords Select Committee in October 2008. Information on the numbers of special advisers employed primarily in the area of communications in 1996 and 1997 is not held centrally.