§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Prime Minister what has been the total cost so far of the Strategic Communications Unit, broken down by(a) salaries, (b) capital equipment and (c) other costs. [108898]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 8 February 2000]: Expenditure for the Strategic Communications Unit (SCU) was £77,633 in 1997–98 (during which year the SCU was only functioning for approximately three months) and £716,672 in 1998–99. The budget for 1999–2000 is £839,440. The rise between expenditure in 1998–99 and the budget for 1999–2000 is principally due to the additional costs of the re-design and re-launch of the No. 10 internet site which included the replacement of outdated computer equipment and the creation of two additional established Civil Service posts. Savings have of course been made in other departments as a result of the transfer of work to the SCU and its role in providing consultancy services to departments which are not reflected in these figures.