§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many political advisers have been employed in each Government Department in each of the last three years; at what costs; and what are the current salary scales by which they are paid. [40448]
§ Mr. FreemanThe information is contained in the tables.
Special advisers are paid on a salary spine of 34 points ranging from £20,631 to £71,517.
Special advisers in post in Government Departments 1 August 1993 1 August 1994 1 August 1995 No. 10 Downing Street 4.6 4.6 5.6 Deputy Prime Minister's Office 0 0 2 No. 12 Downing Street 1 1 1 Chief Whip's Office (Lord's) 1 1 1 Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1 1 2 Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster's Office 1.3 1 0 Defence, Ministry of, 1 1 1 Education and Employment, Department for, 2 2 1 Environment, Department of the, 4 4 4 Foreign and Commonwealth Office 2 2 2 Her Majesty's Treasury 3 3 3 Health, Department of. 1 1 2 Home Office 2 2 2 National Heritage, Department of, 1 0 1 Northern Ireland Office 1 1 1 Privy Council Office 1 1 1 Scottish Office 2 2 2 Social Security, Department of, 1 1 1 Trade and Industry, Department of, 0 4 1 Transport, Department of, 0 1 1 Welsh Office 0 1 1 Total 29.9 34.6 35.6 Figures include paid political and expert special advisers.
Total salary costs for Special Advisers 1 August 1993–31 July 1994 1 August 1994–31 May 1995 1 August 1995–31 July 1996 £1,133,590 £1,460,733 £1,512,622 Total salary costs take account of any changes in postholders and additional appointments during the year.