§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Prime Minister how many special advisers, political advisers and other political appointees are working in his Office; at what annual cost to the public purse including recruitment costs, salaries, pensions and National Insurance contributions; and what was the position in the last full year of the last Government. [43318]
6W
§ The Prime MinisterAt 1 June, there were 19 special advisers employed in No. 10 Downing Street. The estimated paybill for 1998–99 is £1.1 million. This figure does not include the cost of National Insurance contributions which are paid under the same rules and at the same rates as for other civil servants. Information on the numbers and costs of employing Special Advisers in the then Prime Minister's office in 1996–97 was given in the answer to a Question from the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) on 21 January 1998,Official Report, columns 567–68.