HC Deb 22 July 2002 vol 389 cc804-5W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Prime Minister how many(a) full time equivalents were employed by his press office and (b) secondees were placed in his press office in the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [70545]

The Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) on 22 November 2001,Official Report, column 469W and the hon. Member for Chelmsford, West (Mr. Burns) on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 11W.

In October 2001, my Press Office introduced a short-term secondment programme for press officers from other Government Departments to widen their experience. Eight press officers have taken part in the programme.