asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many special ministerial advisers are in the Northern Ireland Office; and what is the total budgeted cost per annum of these advisers including salary, travel and subsistence; and [HL1117]

Who are the special ministerial advisers working in the Northern Ireland Office; and what is the specialist discipline relevant to each appointment. [HL1118]

I refer the noble Lord to the Written Ministerial Statement made by the Prime Minister on 22 November 2007 (Official Report, Commons, col. 148WS) on “Numbers and Cost of Special Advisers”. Since publication of that Statement, Oonagh Blackman has also been appointed as a special adviser in the Northern Ireland Office.