§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many press and public relations officers are currently employed in his Department; what is the total cost per annum; and what were the comparable figures for May 1979 and May 1980.
§ Mr. EyreThe number and cost of pay and national insurance contributions of Information Officer Group staff in my Department's Press Office on these dates was as follows:
Number Cost £000 May 1979 16 151 May 1980 16 198 November 1981 14 187 The figures for May 1979 include staff in the Department of Prices and Consumer Protection which has since been absorbed in the Department of Trade.