HC Deb 14 March 2002 vol 381 c1199W
Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many special advisers were employed by him and his predecessor(a) between 1 May and 31 December 1997 and (b) in each year from 1998 to 2001 inclusive; and what the total amount spent on special advisers by the Department was in each of those years. [41256]

Dr. Whitehead

The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions employed a total of six special advisers between 1 May and 31 December 1997 at a total salary cost of £77,470. In 1998 a total of seven special advisers were employed (of whom no more than six were in post at any one time) at a total salary cost of £142,152. In 1999 a total of seven special advisers were employed (of whom no more than five were in post at any one time) at a total salary cost of £158,400. In 2000 a total of five special advisers were employed at a total salary cost of £197,092. In 2001 a total of eight special advisers were employed (of whom no more than five were employed at any one time) at a total salary cost of £132,278.