Special Advisers (Hansard, 6 December 1993)

§ Mr. Matthew Taylor
To ask the Prime Minister (1) what procedures are in place to ensure that special advisers attached to Ministers have no pecuniary or other interests that may conflict with their duties;
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(2) if he will list the ways in which the rules applying to (a) the acceptance of outside appointments after resignation or retirement and (b) political activities by special advisers attached to Ministers differ from those applying to other civil servants.

§ The Prime Minister
Special advisers are subject to the same rules on conflict of interest as other civil servants. If a conflict arises in relation to their duties they must declare the interest. The business appointment rules on the acceptance of appointments after resignation or retirement do not apply to special advisers. Arrangements are made to ensure they do not have access to the kind of information, and they are not involved in the type of business, that would be likely to create suspicion of impropriety in relation to subsequent employment. Advisers are allowed more freedom of political activity than other civil servants to the extent that, with the approval of their Minister, they may attend party functions, including the party conference as an observer, may maintain contacts with party members and may take part in policy reviews conducted by the party.

§ Mr. Matthew Taylor
To ask the Prime Minister what was the total amount paid in salaries to special advisers attached to Ministers in each year since 1988 in(a) cash and (b) current prices.

§ The Prime Minister
The information requested is as follows:

As at Paybill¹£million 1993–94 prices² £ million

June 1993 1.37 1.37

September 1992 1.3 1.34

September 1991 1.1 1.18

July 1990 0.95 1.08

June 1989 0.93 1.15

September 1988 0.74 0.97

¹ Not including earnings-related national insurance contribution and other personnel overheads.

² Calculated using the GDP deflator.

§ Mr. Matthew Taylor
To ask the Prime Minister if he will list(a) the annual salaries paid to special advisers attached to Ministers in bands of £10,000 and (b) the number of advisers whose salary falls within each band.

§ The Prime Minister
The information requested is as follows:

Salary band £ Number of special advisers¹

0— 10,000 2

10— 20,000 1

20— 30,000 10

30— 40,000 5

40— 50,000 8

50— 60,000 6

60— 70,000 —

70— 80,000 —

80— 90,000 2

90–100,000 1

¹ As at 1 November 1993.

As at	Paybill¹£million	1993–94 prices² £ million
June 1993	1.37	1.37
September 1992	1.3	1.34
September 1991	1.1	1.18
July 1990	0.95	1.08
June 1989	0.93	1.15
September 1988	0.74	0.97
¹ Not including earnings-related national insurance contribution and other personnel overheads.
² Calculated using the GDP deflator.

Salary band £	Number of special advisers¹
0— 10,000	2
10— 20,000	1
20— 30,000	10
30— 40,000	5
40— 50,000	8
50— 60,000	6
60— 70,000	—
70— 80,000	—
80— 90,000	2
90–100,000	1
¹ As at 1 November 1993.