HC Deb 15 May 2000 vol 350 c60W
Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many press officers were employed by his Department in(a) March 1997 and (b) March 2000. [122299]

Mr. Straw

The nearest monthly figures I am able to provide are for April 1997 when there were 14 press officers employed in the Home Office press office. This figure includes one trainee, a Higher Executive Officer and a Chief Immigration Officer on secondment.

As at March 2000 there were 17. This figure includes three trainees, a Chief Immigration Officer and a Higher Executive Officer on secondment to the Home Office Press Office.