HC Deb 12 March 1990 vol 169 cc69-71W
Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff,

Table B shows the number of awards, by category, for each of the months ended 31 October 1989, 30 November 1989, 31 December 1989 and 31 January 1990.

including vacant posts in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

Functions which are currentily associated with press and public relations are carried out by the Department's information division.

The latest information is that 79 staff are in post. In addition, there are seven vacancies. Of the total 19 are information officer grades. Discussions on the proposed staffing for 1990–91 are not yet complete.

The staffing figures for the current period are not comparable with previous years. Following reorganisation within the Department, information division acquired management responsibility for staff previously located in other divisions.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total expenditure by his Department on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

Functions commonly associated with press and public relations are carried out by the Department's information division.

Information is not available in the form requested for the years 1979–80 and the following years to 1988–89.

Expenditure for the DSS information division following separation from the Department of Health for 1989–90 is as follows:

£ million
Manpower 1.157
Running costs 0.07

Discussions on the proposed 1990–91 budgets for manpower and running costs for the information division are not complete.

Staff in post Vacancies
Grade Administrative Statistical Administrative Statistical
3 0.00 0.33 0.0 0
5 0.00 2.00 0.0 0
6 0.00 0.00 0.0 0
7 0.00 0.00 0.0 0
Senior Assistant Statistician 0.00 2.00 0.0 0
Assistant Statistician 0.00 4.00 0.0 0
Senior Executive Officer 0.00 0.00 0.0 0
Higher Executive Officer 9.00 0.00 0.0 0
Executive Officer 12.50 0.00 0.0 0
Administrative Officer 34.50 0.00 2.5 0
Aministrative Assistant 6.00 0.00 0.0 0
Senior Personal Secretary 0.00 0.00 0.0 0
Personal Secretary 2.33 0.00 0.0 0
Total 64.33 16.33 2.5 0

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