HC Deb 21 July 1978 vol 954 cc438-9W
Mr. Kilfedder

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many press officers are currently on the establishment of the Northern Ireland Government Departments and in the Northern Ireland Office; and how many were employed by the former Stormont Government and by the former Northern Ireland Executive, respectively.

Mr. Mason

There are at present 24 posts in the information services jointly serving Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office in Belfast and London.

In March 1972 the Information Service under the former Stormont Government comprised 14 staff Northern Ireland information matters in London were dealt with as appropriate by the Home Office or the Ulster Office at that time. In March 1974 those serving the Northern Ireland Executive totalled 17.