§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many press and public relations officers are currently employed in his Department; what is the total cost per annum; and what were the comparable figures for May 1979 and May 1980.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe 11 information officers my right hon. Friend referred to in his reply to the hon. Member for the Isle of Ely (Mr. Freud) on 18 November—[Vol. 13, c.180.]—were mainly employed on the press and public relations side, and their annual 87W salary and national insurance costs represent £176,000 of the total cost of the group. There were 12 in both May 1979 and May 1980 at costs of £131,000 and £175,000, respectively.