To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost to his Department of (a) press officers and (b) other press office staff has been in each year since 1997. (283062)

The cost of press office staff salaries in 2008-09 was £940,154 and for 2007-08 was £648,516; this includes permanent and agency staff. The other requested information was provided in the answer on 21 April 2008, Official Report, column 1426W.