§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) special advisers, (b) task force members and (c) review body members his Department employs; what is the total salary and benefits of (a) to (c); and what was the equivalent cost prior to 1 May. [19307]
§ Ms JowellThe Department of Health employs two special advisers.
126WThe number and identity of special advisers in each Department was previously provided in a written answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) on 13 November 1997, Official Report, columns 615–17. Information on the total paybill for special advisers was provided in the answers my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster gave to the hon. Members for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) and for Kingston and Surbition (Mr. Davey) on 25 November 1997, Official Report, columns 472–73.
The total number of Task Force members is 9; these are all unpaid.
The current number of Review panel and Advisory Group members is 41. All of these are unpaid.
In addition, a Royal Commission into long-term care of the elderly has just been announced which will have 12 members, all unpaid.