§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement concerning the cost to public funds of employing ministerial special advisers in his Department.
§ Miss. WiddecombeThe Department employs one special adviser.
Salaries for special advisers are negotiated individually in relation to their previous earnings and are confidential. They are, however, normally paid on a special adviser's salary spine of 34 points, ranging from £19,503 to £67,609. Appointments are non-pensionable and the salary spine reflects this.