§ Mr. Fowlerasked the Minister for the Civil Service how many Press and information officers are now employed by Government Departments; and how these are distributed between the Departments.
§ Mr. David HowellA review is being conducted into the information work of Department. I cannot forceast the result, but at present the number of Information Officers and equivalents in Government Departments' Information Branches is as follows:
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 14 Cabinet Office 1 Civil Service Department 19 Customs and Excise 2 Decimal Currency Board 3 Defence Departments 139 Education and Science 20 Employment 24 Environment 72 Export Credits Guarantee Department 2 Foreign and Commonwealth Office 12 Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Overseas Development Administration) 11 Forestry Commission 2 Health and Social Security 17 Home Office 17 Central Office of Information 17 Inland Revenue 1 National Savings 8 Posts and Telecommunications 4 Privy Council Office 1 Scottish Office 17 Trade and Industry 77 Treasury and Sub-Departments 12 Welsh Office 15 Total 507