§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science 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 1990–91.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe current number of staff in post and the total number of posts (including vacancies) is as follows:
Staff in post Total posts (including vacancies) Grade 5 (Chief Information Officer) 1 1 Grade 5 (Assistant Secretary) — 1 Principal Information Officer 2 2 Senior Information Officer 6 6 Information Officer 10 12 Assistant Information Officer 1 1 Higher Graphics Officer 1 1 Graphics Officer 5 5 Senior Executive Officer 1 1 Executive Officer 2 2 Administrative Officer 5 5 Administrative Assistant 3 3 Personal Secretary 1 2 Total 38 42 No decision has yet been reached on what, if any, changes there should be to the staffing structure in 1990–91.
§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total expenditure by his Department on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe expenditure figures for press and public relations by this Department for the financial years 1984–85 to 1989–90 are provided in the table. Figures for 1979 to 1983–84 are not available on a comparable basis. The 1989–90 figure is provisional. The 1990–91 estimate is not finalised.
Year £000 1984–85 788.8 1985–86 1,026.3 1986–87 1,937.8 1987–88 2,313.6 1988–89 2,336.2 1989–90 2,719.8