HC Deb 11 July 2001 vol 371 c568W
7. Mr. Blunt

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the budget for special advisers' salaries was in Government Departments in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 2001–02. [1876]

Mr. Leslie

The estimated pay bill for special advisers for 2001–02 is £4.4 million. The pay bill for special advisers in 1996–97 was £1.8 million.