§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give for each year from 1979–80, including 1991–92, the number of staff actually employed on 1 April and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts in the press and public relations office of his Department.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe number of service personnel and civilians employed on press and public relations work in the MOD in the years 1982–83 to 1990–91 is as follows:
Years Numbers employed Complement 1982–83 222.0 n/a 1983–84 290.0 n/a 1984–85 282.5 n/a 1985–86 249.5 n/a 1986–87 215.0 217 1987–88 206.0 217 1988–89 213.0 217 1989–90 212.0 221 1990–91 221.0 221 The estimate for 1991–92 is similar to 1990–91.
Figures for 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82 are not available. The numbers given for 1983–84 onwards include all service personnel and civilians in complemented PR and PR support posts in London and commands and districts at home and overseas: the 1982–83 figure was riot prepared on this comprehensive basis.