§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the responsibilities of her special advisers. [33126]
§ Tessa Jowell[holding answer 4 February 2002]: The responsibilities of my special advisers are set out in the model contract for special advisers. Special advisers are employed to help Ministers on matters where the work of Government and the work of the Government Party overlap and it would be inappropriate for permanent civil servants to become involved. They are an additional resource for the Minister providing advice from a standpoint that is more politically committed and politically aware than would be available to a Minister from the civil service.