HC Deb 12 December 1997 vol 302 cc698-9W
Mr. Hawkins

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [19319]

Dr. Howells

On the question of Special Advisers, I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 13 November 1997,Official Report, columns 615–17, and on 25 November 1997, Official Report, columns 472–73.

The Department has six Task Forces which currently have a total of 93 members; no appointments have yet been made to the Skills Task Force. No salary or benefits are paid to members of these bodies. The Department is not responsible for any review bodies.