HC Deb 15 December 1993 vol 234 cc684-5W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the name and job description of each special ministerial adviser employed in his Department showing any particular outputs for which each adviser is responsible.

Mr. Lang

I have two full-time special advisers appointed to my Department—Mr. Gregor Mackay and Mr. Alan Young. As special advisers, both are outwith the normal Departmental hierarchy and are engaged on duties laid down by me which include contributing to the preparation of speeches and supporting my ministerial colleagues in the Scottish Office as far as time permits.

Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the political and other advisers employed by his Department; and what remuneration each receives and the previous occupation of each recruited in the last three years.

Mr. Lang

I have two full-time special advisers, Mr. Alan Young and Mr. Gregor Mackay. Both were recruited as graduates in December 1990 and February 1992 respectively and subsequently reappointed in May 1992.

In addition, there are currently two part-time advisers in the Scottish Office. They are Dr. Kenneth Benington and Professor David Tedford who were appointed in August 1988 and October 1992 respectively. They act as advisers to the Scottish Office Industry Department.

It is not our practice to divulge the remuneration of individual advisers.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements are made to ensure that special advisers to Ministers in his Department do not have access to the kind of information, and are not involved in the type of business, that would be likely to create suspicion of impropriety in relation to subsequent employment.

Mr. Lang

I have two full-time special advisers employed in my Department. The conditions under which they are employed are fully detailed in their appointment letter and are in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance. That guidance requires that they do not have access to the kind of information and are not involved in the kind of business which would create any suspicion of impropriety in relation to subsequent employment.