§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Prime Minister how many(a) civil servants and (b) special advisers involved in media relations were employed within his Department at 1 May (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [84199]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 18 May 1999]: Detailed information on the number of civil servants employed in Departmental Press Offices during the financial years 1997–98 and 1998–99 was provided in a memorandum to the Select Committee on Public Administration and published in its report on "The Government Information and Communication Service" (HC 770) in July 1998. A copy is in the Library of the House.
Media relations are handled by the Downing Street Press Office which consists of 8 press officers, 3 of whom are special advisers. They work under the direction of my 193W Official Spokesman and are the only people authorised to have direct contact with the media on my behalf other than on occasions where others may be specifically directed by my Official Spokesman.
The Strategic Communications Unit was set up on 14 January 1998. Speaking on behalf of the Government is not part of the SCU's function but the civil servants and special advisers there obviously speak to the press from time to time.