HC Deb 10 April 2002 vol 383 c63W
Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people were employed in a press or public relations function in his Department on 1 January in(a)1997, (b)1998, (c)1999, (d)2000, (e)2001 and (f)2002. [39939]

Mr. Bradshaw

The numbers of staff employed in this function in London areInformation Department (renamed—Public Diplomacy Department)

  • 1997 = 78.00
  • 1998 = 79.00
  • 1999 = 79.00
  • 2000 = 79.00
  • 2001 = 79.00
  • 2002 = 49.50
News Department
  • 1997 = 11.50
  • 1998 = 15.50
  • 1999 = 17.50
  • 2000 = 17.70
  • 2001 = 19.00
  • 2002 = 25.00.

In addition, there are currently 144 UK based staff and 144.41 locally engaged staff who spend 50 to 100 per cent. of their time covering this function in FCO posts abroad. The figures for previous years are not available without incurring disproportionate costs.

Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many press releases were issued by his Department(a)between 1 May and 31 December 1997 and (b)in each year from 1998 to 2001 inclusive. [40033]

Mr. Straw

The number of press bulletins issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the period specified is

  • May-December 1997: 381
  • 1998: 414
  • 1999: 593
  • 2000: 444
  • 2001: 363.

The figures include a daily bulletin of ministerial engagements and announcements and other press releases. The daily bulletin may contain a number of announcements. All Foreign Office press releases, including statements and speeches by Ministers, can be read on our website at www.fco.gov.uk.