§ Ms EagleTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many advisers his Department employs 59W broken down to show (a) political advisers and (b) economic advisers; at what grade and salary they are employed; and what are their minimum working hours in each case. [19425]
§ Miss WiddecombeThe Department employs one political adviser. Salaries and conditions of work for political advisers are negotiated individually in relation to their previous earnings, and are confidential.
Economic advice is obtained from career civil servants, who may be employed on a variety of working patterns. Their grades range from grade 3 to assistant economist.