§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many public relations and information officers were employed by the Department of Energy and its associated agencies in February 1974; how many are employed now; whether he expects to recruit any more during the rest of 1975 and 1976; and what are the salaries of those he has recruited and expects to recruit.
§ Mr. BennIn February 1974 there were eight information officers employed in my Department; certain services were still being provided at that time by the Department of Trade and Industry. This figure has since risen to 23 and I expect a further six to be recruited by April 1977. The total annual salary bill of the present staff amounts to £132,000 and this will be increased by £34,000 when the remaining six posts are filled.
No public relations officers are employed in the Department.