HC Deb 15 October 2001 vol 372 c1021W
Annabelle Ewing

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) special advisers and (b) press officers were employed (i) full time, (ii) part time and (iii) on a contract basis by his Department in each year since 1992. [6913]

Mr. Wills

The numbers of special advisers and press officers employed by the Lord Chancellor's Department since 1992 are as follows:

  • 1992–97: no special advisers
  • 1998–2001: one special adviser
  • 1992–99: four full-time press officers
  • 2000–01: six full-time press officers.

Press officers include the head of the information directorate. No press officers have been employed on a part-time or contract basis.