HC Deb 10 April 2002 vol 383 cc318-9W
Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many press officers there were in her Department on(a)1 May 1997 and (b)the latest available date. [46886]

Dr. Howells

There were nine press officers in my Department on 1 May 1997, including two working part-time. The figure today is seven.

Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total cost of running his press office was in(a)1996–97 and (b)the latest year for which figures are available. [46815]

Dr. Howells

The total cost of running the Department for Culture, Media and Sport press office in 1996–97 was £236,524.53. The latest year for which figures are available for the total cost of running the press office is 2000–01, which totalled £582,442.74.