§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Prime Minister on what dates each Government and agency rebuttal officer was thus designated. [43552]
§ The Prime MinisterThe early and effective response to criticism of Government policy has always been an important and non-political duty of all departmental and agency press officers under all administrations. Titles of officers is a matter for Departments and agencies and is not centrally determined.
As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health said in his reply to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) of 11 May 1998, Official Report, column 40, one officer in his Departments has been designated a rebuttal officer.