§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Minister of Transport how many members of his Department, of whatever grade or specialisation, are engaged whole or part-time in public and press relations, expessing the total in whole-time equivalents; and what is their total annual cost to public funds.
§ Mr. FowlerOn 1 November 1980, seven information officer group staff were employed on press and public relations458W activities in my Department. Four other staff were employed in support of the press office. Other support was provided as a common service by the staff of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. The annual pay and national insurance cost of the 11 staff mentioned is £111,000.