§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement concerning the cost to public funds of employing ministerial special advisers in his Department.
§ Mr. LangMy Department employs two special advisers, although one post is presently vacant.
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, which starts at £19,503. Appointments are non-pensionable, and the salary spine reflects this.