§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the special advisers in his Department together with their date of appointment and their responsibilities; which of them are authorised to speak to the media; and if he will make a statement. [247]
§ Mr. Blunkett[holding answer 25 June 2001]: The number of special advisers working for me has been increased by 0.5 of a full-time post compared with the number working for me in the pre-election period. This, as with the arrangements between 1997 and 2001, reflects the particular circumstances of my position and also the extent of written work associated with my present post. Nick Pearce, Katharine Raymond and Sophie Linden (part-time) took up their appointments as special advisers on 8 June. I am also appointing Huw Evans, who will join the Department shortly. As part of their duties they will brief the media as appropriate.
With the transfer of the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordination Unit from the Cabinet Office, Keith Hellawell will be joining the Home Office on special adviser terms.