§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many political advisers have been appointed since 1 May 1997; and if he will list the position held in his Department by each. [46718]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 19 June 1998]: There are three full-time equivalent political adviser posts in the Department for Education and Employment. The additional post was agreed by the Prime Minister to provide support to my right hon. Friend in dealing with written material, reflecting the particular circumstances he faces in undertaking his job on equal terms with other ministerial colleagues.