HC Deb 08 March 2002 vol 381 cc579-80W
Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people were employed in a press or public relations function in the Lord Chancellor's Department on 1 January in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000, (e) 2001 and (f) 2002. [39924]

Mr. Wills

The number of people who were employed in press or publicity work (excluding internal communications, web site developers and administrative support) was as follows:

Number
(a) 1997
LCD Headquarters 5
Public Record Office 2
Land Registry 1
Law Commission 1
Northern Ireland Court Service 2

Number
(b) 1998
LCD Headquarters 5
Public Record Office 2
Land Registry 2
Law Commission 1
Northern Ireland Court Service 2
(c) 1999
LCD Headquarters 5
Public Record Office 2
Land Registry 2
Law Commission 1
Northern Ireland Court Service 2
(d) 2000
LCD Headquarters 9
Public Record Office. 3
Land Registry 2
Law Commission 1
Northern Ireland Court Service 2
(e) 2001
LCD Headquarters 9
Public Record Office 3
Land Registry 2
Law Commission 1
Northern Ireland Court Service 2
(f) 2002
LCD Headquarters 12
Public Record Office 4
Land Registry 2
Law Commission 1
Northern Ireland Court Service: 2
Public Guardianship Office 3

The Public Guardianship Office came into effect on 1 April 2001. Press and publicity work for the Court Service is handled by LCDHQ.

The increase in press and publicity staff in 2000 reflects new work connected with the Community Legal Service and the Court Service. The increase in 2002 reflects new responsibilities transferred to LCDHQ from the Home Office.