§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Prime Minister (1) what the anticipated annual running costs, including staff costs, are of the Research and Information Office within 10 Downing street; [96411]
784W(2) what is the job description of the head of the Research and Information Office within 10 Downing street. [96332]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 2 November 1999]: Bill Bush is employed as a Special Adviser to the Prime Minister under terms and conditions set out in the Model Contract for Special Advisers. Schedule 1 (part 1) of the Contract sets out the role and duties of Special Advisers. Bill Bush advises the Prime Minister on the operation and management of a single information resource at No. 10, the Research and Information Office (RIO), which provides briefing for the Prime Minister and No. 10 staff. A key part of the job is to advise on the use of the latest technology to enhance No. 10's Information Management Systems. The RIO is staffed by a mix of permanent civil servants and Special Advisers. The Private Secretary with responsibility for Parliamentary Affairs is the line manager for the permanent civil servants in the RIO. The anticipated annual running costs for the RIO, including staff costs, for 1999–2000 are £301,183.