HC Deb 21 July 1988 vol 137 cc762-4W
Mr. Dobson

To ask (1) the Lord President of the Council how many press officers from his office have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(2) the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many press officers from the Department of Trade and Industry have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(3) the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many press officers from the Duchy office have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(4) the Secretary of State for Defence how many press officers from the armed forces have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(5) the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many press officers from his Department have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(6) the Secretary of State for Wales how many press officers from his Department have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(7) the Secretary of State for Scotland how many press officers from his Department have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(8) the Secretary of State for Transport how many press officers from his Department have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(9) the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many press officers from his Department have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(10) the Secretary of State for Employment how many press officers from his Department have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(11) the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many press officers from the Duchy office and the Department of Trade and Industry, respectively, have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(12) the Attorney-General how many press officers from the Law Officers' Department and that of the Lord Chancellor have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(13) the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many press officers from his Department have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(14) the Prime Minister how many press officers from her office have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(15) the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many press officers from his Department have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(16) the Secretary of State for Defence how many press officers from his Department have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(17) the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many press officers from his Department have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(18) the Secretary of State for Energy how many press officers from his Department have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(19) the Secretary of State for the Environment how many press officers from his Department have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(20) the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many press officers from his Department have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery;

(21) the Secretary of State for Social Services how many press officers from his Department have passes giving them access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery.

Mr. Wakeham

I have been asked to reply.

A total of six press officers, from the Prime Minister's Office, the Central Office of Information, the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence have access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery on a permanent basis. All Departments, other than the Law Officers' Department, the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Duchy Office and the Privy Council Office, have press officers who apply on a day-to-day basis for a pass to admit them to the Parliamentary Press Gallery when their official duties require it. The total of such press officers is 156. No officials from the Law Officers' Department, the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Duchy Office or the Privy Council Office have access to the Parliamentary Press Gallery.