§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Prime Minister if he will state the number of special advisers in each Government department and the total annual cost of employing each adviser, broken down by departments. [39914]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 27 April 1998]On the number of Special Advisers in each Government department, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) on 13 November 1997,Official Report, columns 615–17, and my answer to the right hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Mr. Forth) on 5 May 1998, Official Report, column 278
In addition, one Special Adviser has been appointed to each of the following Departments: Privy Council Office, Department for Trade and Industry, Lord Chancellor's Department and Scottish Office. One Special Adviser has resigned from No.10.
In line with the practice under previous administrations, individual salaries are not detailed in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.
Based on the number in post on 5 May, the total annual salary cost of employing Special Advisers in 1998–99 is estimated to be some £3.6 million.