§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThere is a total of 221 posts on the strength of the defence public relations staffs. These include staff in single service command headquarters and in central staffs in the MOD. Latest available figures show there to be 212 staff in post and nine vacancies. The proposed complement for 1990–91 is 220.
§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe last year for which figures are available is 1982–83. Figures for the period 1982–83 to 1988–89 are as follows:
£ million 1982–83 5.1 1983–84 6.3 1984–85 6.8 1985–86 6.7 1986–87 7.3 1987–88 7.0 1988–89 7.1 Our estimated expenditure figure for 1989–90 is £7.8 million and for 1990–91 £8.4 million.
Figures for 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82 are not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate expense. The figures provided include staff costs and expenditure on films, exhibitions, publications and equipment.