§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of people employed on information, press and public relations work in his Department in each of the past five years, together with the annual costs over the same period.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe number of service personnel and civilians employed on information, press560W and public relations work in the Ministry of Defence in the years 1982–83 to 1985–86, together with the annual staffing costs over the same period, is as follows:
Figures for 1981–82 are not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate expense. The numbers given for 1983–84 onwards include all service personnel and civilians in complemented PR posts in London and in commands and districts at home and overseas; the 1982–83 figure was not prepared on this comprehensive basis.
Year Numbers Cost £ million 1982–83 222 4.0 1983–84 290 4.8 1984–85 282½ 5.3 1985–86 249½ 5.1