§ Lord Norton of Louthasked the Chairman of Committees:
How many members of staff of the House of Lords are employed to deal with media inquiries and to disseminate information about the work of the House; and how this figure compares with that for the number of staff employed for media and information purposes by the Scottish Parliament. [HL49]
§ The Chairman of CommitteesSince October 1996, the House of Lords has had one member of staff, with a personal assistant, who, amongst other public information-related responsibilities, acts as a focus for inquiries from the media. Two other members of staff provide a telephone information service to the public, and to Members of the House, on the work, business and membership of the House.
While direct comparisons with the Scottish Parliament are not possible, I understand that the original complement of two staff responsible solely for media relations in the Scottish Parliament is to be increased to four. In terms of information activities which most nearly approximate to those of the House of Lords information services, such as the provision of briefing papers, other information material and an enquiry service, the Scottish Parliament has a staff of about 15 engaged in the provision of a public information service. This service also staffs a Visitor Centre and shop, both of which are open to the public, an education office and a switchboard facility for the 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament.