§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total cost was of employing special advisers in her Department and its predecessor from 1997 to date. [160050]
§ Mrs. Liddell[holding answer I May 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Perth (Ms Cunningham) on 9 April 2001, Official Report, column 425W.
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many special advisers worked in her Department and its predecessor from 1997 to date. [160035]
§ Mrs. Liddell[holding answer 1 May 2001]: In the Scottish Office in 1997–98 there were two special advisers and during 1998–99 there were three special advisers in post at any given time.
The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. In 1999–2000 and 2000–01 there were three special advisers in post at any one time, one of whom was unpaid. There are currently two special advisers.