§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement concerning the cost to public funds of employing ministerial special advisers in his Department.
§ Mr. HowardMy Department employs two special advisers.
Salaries for special advisers are negotiated individually in relation to their previous earnings, and are confidential. They are, however, normally paid on a special advisers' salary spine of 34 points, ranging from £19,503 to £67,609. Appointments are non-pensionable, and the salary spine reflects this.