Special Advisers (Hansard, 25 October 2001)

§ Mrs. May
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if(a) his special advisers and (b) his Department's press office commented on the report on engineering standards on the London Underground by Parsons Brinckerhoff Ltd. commissioned by Bob Kiley (i) before and (ii) after the report had been published by Transport for London and London Transport; [9902]
(2) if he will list the matters that his special advisers have (a) given to the press or briefed the press about and (b) commented on, relating to the conduct of Bob Kiley in his capacity as London Transport Commissioner or Chairman of London Transport, since the General Election; [9900]
(3) if he will list the matters that his Department's communications department have (a) briefed the press about and (b) commented on, relating to the conduct of Bob Kiley in his capacity as London Transport Commissioner or Chairman of London Transport, since the General Election. [9899]

§ Mr. Byers
[holding answer 24 October 2001]: Press officers, and special advisers, brief the press and comment on matters relating to the range of the Department's responsibilities, in accordance with the guidance on the work of the Government information service.

§ Mrs. May
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the procedures for Ministers approving comments to the press made by(a) his Department's press office and (b) special advisers. [9901]

§ Mr. Byers
[holding answer 24 October 2001]: Staff in the Directorate of Communication and special advisers are authorised to contact the media, clearing statements with Ministers as required, in accordance with the guidance on the work of the Government information service.

§ Mr. Oaten
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the record kept under clause 9 of the code of conduct for special advisers of contacts between his special advisers and the news media since July. [8222]

§ Mr. Byers
[holding answer 18 October 2001]: All civil servants, including special advisers, are expected to keep departmental heads of information informed of contacts with media. Details of such contacts are for internal purposes only.