§ Q46. Mr. Ashtonasked the Prime Minister what are the reasons for the increase in the number of staff employed directly by her office since May 1979.
§ Mr. McMahonasked the Prime Minister if she has increased the staff at 10 Downing Street since May 1979.
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§ The Prime MinisterAt present the number of staff employed by my office is two higher than on 1 May 1979. There has been a small increase in the policy unit partly offset by a reduction elsewhere. However, the total is subject to temporary fluctuations as a result of factors such as vacancies or overlaps between departing staff and their successors.
§ Mr. McMahonasked the Prime Minister how many (a) chauffeurs and (b) kitchen staff were employed at 10 Downing Street in May 1979 and at the latest date.
§ The Prime MinisterThe numbers of staff in the categories specified, both at 1 May 1979 and 1 November 1982, were(a) none (b) one part-time senior cook, who prepares working lunches for the staff of the office twice a week. Drivers for the Prime Minister are provided by the Department of the Environment's Government car service.