§ Mr. LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what are the total running costs of his Department's Press Office, including staff salaries, for the year 1999—2000; and what is the estimated cost for the next two years; [115761]
(2) how many press officers, at what civil service grades, are employed in his Department's Press Office; [115762]
(3) how many of his Department's press officers have been replaced in each of the last three years. [115763]
§ Ms Beverley Hughes[holding answer 21 March 2000]: The running costs are:
Year £ million 1999–2000 13.1 2000–01 23.3 2001–02 333 1 Forecast outturn 2 Provision 3 Estimate provision These include the staff salaries, overtime, travel and subsistence, training and other administrative costs including regional media activity and press cuttings.
The number of press officers (full-time equivalent) currently employed by DETR(C) grade is:
Press officers Number Senior Civil Service 1 Band 7 10.8 Band 6 5 Band 5 11 Band 4 18 Band 3 5 1 Part-time The number of press officers who have joined or left the Media Centre since April 1999 is:
- Left—14
- Joined—17.
Figures are not available in this format for earlier years.