§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many members of his Department, of whatever grade or specialisation, are engaged whole or part-time in public and press relations, expressing the total in whole-time equivalents; and what is their total annual cost to public funds.
§ Mr. HeseltineOn 1 November 1980, 19 information officer group staff were employed on press and public relations activities in my Department. A further 10 staff provide a support service both to the press office in my Department and to that of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport. The annual pay and national insurance costs of these staff is £308,000.