§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many press and public relations officers are currently employed in his Department; what is the total cost; and what are the comparable figures for June 1970, October 1974, and May 1979.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe number and cost of information officer group staff in my Department's press office on those dates was as follows:
Number Cost £'000 I October 1974 7 31 1 May 1979 7 63 1 February 1980 7 68 The Department did not exist in June 1970.