To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many press officers were employed by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies, (c) HM Revenue and Customs and (d) the Valuation Office Agency in each of the last three years; and at what cost in each such year. (279340)

The number of full-time equivalent press officers employed by the Treasury Group (HMT, OGC, DMO), HMRC (including all regional offices) and the Valuation Office in each of the last three years is as follows:

The information on costs for the Treasury Group (HMT, OGC and DMO), HMRC and the Valuation Office for each year since 1997 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.