To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the cost to his Department of employing (a) press officers and (b) other press office staff has been in each year since 1997. (283072)

The cost of employing staff in the Department’s Press Office in 2008/09 was £1,350,713.10. The other requested information was provided in the answer of 27 January 2009, Official Report, columns 480-81W.