§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [19314]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe information for the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:
Since 1 May Prior to 1 May Number Cost (£) Number Cost (£) (a) Special Advisers 2 52,686 1 35,746 (b) Task Force Members1 Nil — — — (c) Review Body Members1 1 2,655 (annually) 1 2,655 (annually) In addition, two civil servants are currently seconded to work on a Pay and Grading Review in the Northern Ireland Prison Service at a cost of £109,000. In 1996–97, three civil servants were seconded to this work, at a cost of £121,000.
1 With the exception of the Review in the Northern Ireland Prison Service, it is not possible to distinguish the cost of officials time spent on Task Force and Review Related work.