§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many(a) special advisers, (b) task force members and (c) review body members her Department employs; what is the total salary and benefits of (a) to (c); and what was the equivalent cost prior to 1 May. [19313]
§ Mrs. BeckettMy Department employs three special advisers. Two are paid and one is unpaid. The level of salary is a private matter for the individuals concerned but I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 25 November 1997,Official Report, columns 472–73. The previous Administration employed one special adviser in this Department before the election.
Since the election, the following bodies have been established to advise Ministers: The President of the Board of Trade's Advisory Group on Competitiveness, the Export Forum, the External Group on Competitiveness in Europe and the Interdepartmental Task Force on Competitiveness in Europe. A total of forty-one representatives from outside of Government have been appointed to these bodies none of whom receive payment other than expenses in some cases. I shall be announcing the membership of five Competitiveness Working Parties shortly. Again the members will be unpaid other than expenses in some cases.
The Government have established the independent Low Pay Commission with nine members from outside Government. None is employed or receives payment other than expenses. I have also appointed the Chairman of Action 2000, my Department's new initiative to tackle the century date change problem. Mr. Cruickshank's appointment will involve one day per week from March 1998 at a rate comparable with his current position as Director General OFTEL.
722WIn addition, the Department is continually looking for ways to improve the effectiveness of its activities. This process is informed through an on-going dialogue with business and others on a wide range of issues. From time to time the Department will initiate a formal review of policy or consult interested parties on a specific policy proposal. These are undertaken by Ministers and officials: where others outside Government are involved none are employed by the Department or receive payment other than expenses.