§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what will be the functions, establishment and annual budget of the proposed Ministerial Briefing Unit; and if he will make a statement. [32626]
§ Mr. Blunkett[holding answer 4 February 2002]: Work on the Ministerial Briefing Unit in the Home Office was commissioned in 2001 and the unit came into existence on Monday 28 January 2002. Its functions are to improve the quality of Home Office information made publicly available by providing research facilities and background briefing for the Home Secretary, his ministerial team and senior officials undertaking activity outside the Department on current and emerging topics of concern.
The extra annual staff costs, including overheads, of the unit are currently £60,000. In addition, a Higher Executive Officer or Executive Officer (HEO/EO) is being recruited.