§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons are employed in his Department's press office; at what grades; and what the equivalent numbers were on 1 May 1997. [224]
§ Mr. BlunkettThere are currently 25 Press Officers in the Home Office Press Office—five Senior Information Officers, 18 Information Officers, two Assistant Information Officers. In addition there is one Chief Immigration Officer on secondment and support staff comprising one Higher Executive Officer, one Administrative Officer and one Administrative Assistant.
On 1 May 1997 there were three Senior Information Officers, 10 Information Officers (two part-time), one Assistant Information Officer, a Higher Executive Officer on secondment, one Executive Officer, one Administrative Officer and two Administrative Assistants.
The increase in the number of press office staff reflects the increase in the number of calls to the press office over recent years and a commitment to openness and 50W accessibility in providing accountability to the public for the work of the Home Office and to the provision of the services of the Department's press office.
§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce the size of his Department's press office; and if he will make a statement. [248]
§ Mr. BlunkettThere are no plans to reduce the size of the Home Office Press Office.
While some responsibilities have transferred from the Home Office to a number of other Departments, the Home Office has taken on responsibility for work permits, driving forward the agenda on the United Kingdom Anti-drugs Co-ordinating Unit and for extending the work of citizenship and active communities.