HC Deb 27 October 1997 vol 299 cc686-7W
Mrs. Gillan

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list(a) the names, (b) the salary, (c) the previous occupation and salary and (d) the terms and conditions of each political and special adviser in her Department; and what was the selection process used to appoint these persons. [2421]

Mrs. Beckett

[holding answer 6 June 1997]: Sheila Watson, formerly deputy director and consultant economist at the Centre for Local Economic Strategies, and Dan Corry, formerly senior Economist at the Institute for Public Policy Research, are paid special advisers in accordance with schedule 1—part 1—of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. They are both paid within a range of £24,349 to £73,484. Their salaries are negotiated individually and are confidential within this range. Details of this and of previous salaries are not provided in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.

Lord Hollick, chief executive of United News and Media plc—UNM—is an unpaid special adviser, also in accordance with schedule 1—part 1—of the model contract, but excluding all those issues having implications for companies in the UNM group, notably in the broadcasting, publishing and exhibition industry given his continuing role as chief executive of UNM, and also excluding until 1 September issues affecting the aerospace sector given his previous position as a non-executive director of British Aerospace plc.

All three appointments are personal appointments following consultation with the permanent secretary of my Department and the Prime Minister.

Mr. Redwood

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what restrictions are placed on the issues her Department's special advisers are permitted to handle and the papers they can see. [10982]

Mrs. Beckett

[holding answer 28 July 1997]: Sheila Watson and Dan Corry are special advisers on the whole range of DTI business in accordance with schedule 1—part 1—of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. Lord Hollick is an unpaid special adviser, who advises on a range of issues also in accordance with schedule 1—part 1—of the model contract, but excluding all those issues having implications for companies in the UNM Group, notably in the broadcasting, publishing and exhibition industry given his continuing role as chief executive of UNM, and also excluding until 1 September issues affecting the aerospace sector given his previous position as a non-executive director of British Aerospace plc.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the special advisers in her Department, the Minister to whom each is responsible, the subjects on which they advise and the number of advisers in her Department in the year up to 1 May. [5367]

Mrs. Beckett

Sheila Watson and Dan Corry are special advisers to me on the whole range of DTI business in accordance with schedule 1—part 1—of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. Lord Hollick is an unpaid special adviser who advises on a range of issues also in accordance with schedule 1—part 1—of the model contract, but excluding all those issues having implications for companies in the UNM Group notably in the broadcasting, publishing or exhibition industries given his continuing role as chief executive of the United News and Media plc, and also excluding until 1 September issues affecting the aerospace sector given his previous position as a non-executive director of British Aerospace plc. There was one special adviser in the DTI in the year up to 1 May.