HC Deb 11 November 1999 vol 337 c753W
Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many staff are employed in his Private Office; how many of those staff are political appointees; and what the current year's budget is for the Private Office. [98296]

Mr. Wills

The number of full time equivalent staff currently employed in the Private Office, working directly to the eight Ministers in the Department, is 47. This includes three full time equivalent special advisers.

The current year's budget for the Private Office is £2.2 million (excluding Ministers salaries).