Press and Public Relations

HC Deb 13 March 1989 vol 149 cc115-6W

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of his Department; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The Department has a current complement within its information division of 17 posts for press and public relations with no vacancies. The proposed complement for 1989290 is 16.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest figure for(a) the estimated expenditure by his Department on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The latest figure for information division press and public relations costs for 1988–89 is £451,000. The budget for 1989–90 is £446,000. These figures cover the overall costs of running the press office, calculated using the Her Majesty's Treasury simplified ready reckoner for staff and other costs.