§ Mr. HoggTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many special advisers were employed at his Department on(a) 1 April and (b) 1 June and at what cost, indicating separately the cost of secretarial and office support staff. [3431]
Dr. John CunninghamOn 1 April my department employed one special adviser. On 1 June two special advisers were employed.
The rates of pay for a special adviser on 1 April were between £20,631 and £71,517. The pay system for special advisers was revised on 3 May and they are now paid between £24,349 and £73,484 per annum. Their salaries are negotiated individually and are confidential. Details are not provided in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.
On 1 April one personal secretary worked directly to the special adviser. On 1 June one personal secretary worked directly to the two special advisers. Personal secretaries in London are currently paid between £9,937 and £18,079 per annum (including London Weighting and secretarial allowances). Details are not provided in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned. No support staff have worked directly to the special advisers.