HC Deb 05 December 1997 vol 302 cc364-5W
Mr. Hawkins

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many(a) special advisers, (b) task force members and (c) review body members her Department employs; what is the total salary and benefits of (a) to (c); and what was the equivalent cost prior to 1 May. [19315]

Clare Short

My Department has employed two special advisers since 1 May 1997. Their combined annual salary totals £53,592. They have claimed no other benefits. Prior to I May, DFID was not a Cabinet Department and had no special advisers.

No task force members or review body members have been employed since 1 May 1997, or in the period immediately before that, other than staff carrying out policy and management review functions as part of their continuing work. Members of the business community and other figures in public life have contributed to the work of my Department without charge.