HC Deb 30 June 1997 vol 297 cc16-7W
Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the special advisers in his Department, the Minister to whom each is responsible, the subjects on which they advise and the number of advisers in his Department in the year up to 1 May. [5359]

Mr. Blunkett

I refer my hon. Friend to my replies given to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham on 10 June and 19 June,Official Report, cols. 369 and 258 respectively.

Both of my advisers are employed under terms and conditions based on the model contract for Special Advisers. In accordance with Schedule 1 (part 1) of the model contract, Conor Ryan is advising me on press and policy presentation strategy; school standards; lifelong learning; University for Industry; information technology; Welfare to Work and the Education White Paper. Sophie Linden (part time) is advising me on Nursery and Primary (literacy and numeracy) education; Teacher training; Millennium volunteers; Young People/Pupil welfare and links with Parliament.

Any additional provision will be directed at the development of employment and employability issues, together with specific support to me in dealing with confidential written material, reflecting the particular circumstances I face in undertaking my job on equal terms with my other ministerial colleagues.

The Department employed two advisers in the year up to 1 May 1997.