§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) special advisers, (b) task force members and (c) review body members his Department employs; what is the total salary and benefits of (a) to (c); and what was the equivalent cost prior to 1 May. [19311]
§ Mr. HoonThere are currently no special advisers employed in this Department. As announced on 9 December 1997, the Lord Chancellor has decided to appoint Mr. Garry Hart as a Special Adviser. Mr. Hart's appointment will not, however, take effect until 2 March 1998.
No-one from outside the Department is currently employed in a task force or review body. The total fees and benefits paid to review body members from outside the Department in the year to 1 May 1997 was approximately £37,500. Since 1 May 1997, such expenditure has totalled approximately £24,700. These figures include payments for travel and subsistence. It is not possible to distinguish the cost of ministers' and officials' time spent on task force and review-related work.