To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special advisers have been employed by his Department in each year since 1997; and what the average salary was for those special advisers in each such year. (317576)

The Government are committed to publishing an annual list detailing the number and costs of special advisers. Information for 2009-10 was published by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 16 July 2009, Official Report, column 74WS. This information has been published since 2003.

Information prior to 2003 was provided at regular intervals and is available in the Library of the House.