§ Ms Roseanna CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many special advisers have been employed by the Scotland Office in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, and (d) 2000–01; and what the total costs were. [150060]
§ Mrs. Liddell[holding answer 12 February 2001]: In the Scottish Office in 1997–98 there were two special advisers and during 1998–99 there were three special advisers in post at any given time. The costs for each year were: 1997–98 £166,933; 1998–99 £295,676.
The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. In 1999–2000 and 2000–01, there were three special advisers in post at any one time, one of whom was unpaid. The costs for 1999–2000 were £76,367 and the costs in 2000–01 (to end of March) are £92,379.