HC Deb 02 March 2000 vol 345 cc385-6W
Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many internal communications advisers are to be recruited by his Department; what is their(a) minimum and (b) maximum starting salary; and if he will make a statement. [112520]

Mr. Straw

Ten Internal Communication Advisers are to be recruited by the Home Office.

They will be Grade 7 appointments with a minimum starting salary of £29,777 and a maximum starting salary of £46,112.

Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the functions of his Department's Internal Communications Advisers. [112521]

Mr. Straw

The functions of the Internal Communication Advisers are to:

  1. (i) support the modernisation programme and business change within individual Directorates and Agencies in the Home Office;
  2. (ii) tailor the Home Office internal communication strategy for a specified Directorate or Agency incorporating best industry practice;
  3. (iii) support the implementation of the Home Office Internal Communication strategy, working as part of a team of Internal Communication Advisers within the Home Office;
  4. (iv) develop the key communication skills of senior managers and managers within Home Office Directorates and Agencies, making full use of in-house and external agency expertise;
  5. (v) ensure local communication activities are co-ordinated with other communication activities across the whole Home Office by working via the Head of Internal Communication; and
  6. (vi) develop and manage mechanisms to gather feedback, such as surveys and focus groups.