HC Deb 10 July 2000 vol 353 cc378-9W
Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what civil service grade is held by the Director of News, Mr. Martin Howard; what civil service post was held by Mr. Howard prior to his appointment as Director of News, who the previous holder of the position of Director of News was; and what Mr. Howard's job description is as Director of News. [129829]

Dr. Moonie

Mr. Martin Howard is a member of the senior civil service. His previous appointment was in the Ministry of Defence as Head of the Overseas Secretariat. The previous incumbent of the post of Director of News was Ms Oona Muirhead, also a senior civil servant. The role of Director of News is to act as the official spokesman of the Ministry of Defence and to identify media opportunities for promoting the key themes of the Defence Mission proactively, effectively and consistently.