§ Mr. TyrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions between 5 June 2000 and 31 March 2001(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity. [158553]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyWales Office special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity on three occasions between 5 June 2000 and 31 March 2001. I have no non-departmental special advisers.
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the total cost was of employing special advisers in his Department and its predecessor from 1997 to date. [160051]
§ Mr. Paul MurphySpecial advisers' salaries are negotiated individually within the three-band range announced to the House by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 16 November 1998,Official Report, column 354W. Individual salaries and pension contributions are confidential to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned, so it is not possible to give the combined costs of employing special advisers.
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many special advisers worked in his Department and its predecessor from 1997 to date. [160034]
§ Mr. Paul MurphySince 3 May 1997, no more than two special advisers have been in post at any one time in the former Welsh Office and the Wales Office.