§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [19306]
163W
§ Mr. George RobertsonMy Department currently employs two Special Advisers. Details of remuneration are withheld under exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. They were included in the answer given by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to the questions from the hon. Members for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) and for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr. Davey) on 25 November 1997,Official Report, columns 472–73. No MOD Task Forces have been established. My Department has set up one high-level review since 1 May: the Strategic Defence Review. In this context, I have established a panel of 18 experts to provide me with advice. Panel members are unpaid, but may claim expenses.