§ Mr. Gowasked the Minister for the Civil Service how many political advisers each of the 13 Ministers, listed in his Written Answer on 20th October 1975 to the hon. Member for Eastbourne, has; what is the nature of their duties; whether it is intended to appoint such advisers to the 11 Members of the Cabinet who do not have them at present; and what qualifications are required in the candidates for these appointments.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisThe number of special advisers appointed by each Minister is as follows:
Prime Minister 7 Lord President of the Council 1 Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 2 Secretary of State for the Home Department 2 Chancellor of the Exchequer 2 Secretary of State for Education and Science 1 Secretary of State for the Environment 2 Secretary of State for Energy 2 Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection 2 Secretary of State for Social Services 4 Secretary of State for Trade 1 Secretary of State for Wales 1 Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 1 Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 1 As regards the duties of special advisers, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. Steel) on 13th October.
Special advisers are appointed personally by the Ministers whom they serve. I am not aware that any member of the Cabinet who does not currently have a special adviser intends to appoint one.
The qualifications required of special advisers vary according to the duties which the Minister appointing them wishes them to perform.
320WI must apologise for the omission of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster from the list of Ministers given in my reply on 20th October to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Gow).