§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost of running the Department's press office was in(a) 1996–97 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available. [46801]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 10 April 2002]: The Department's staffing cost information for Press and Publicity Division for 1996–97 does not separately identify the cost of press office. The total cost of Press and Publicity Division for 1996–97 was £2.3 million. The cost of the News Branch for 2000–01 was £1.2 million.