HC Deb 21 March 2002 vol 382 cc483-4W
Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what this year's budget is for his Department's(a) press office and (b) Directorate of Communication; [41997]

(2) what the establishment level is of his Department's press office; and for how many months that level has been achieved since June 2001; [41989]

(3) how many staff there are within his Department's press office. [41990]

Mr. Byers

[holding answer 11 March 2002]: Resource allocations for 2001–2002 are as follows:

£ million
(a) Press Office 2,487
(b) Directorate of Communication 5.842

Within these resource allocations, the press office has an indicative establishment provision for 35 posts. Since June 2001, the press office has averaged 4.5 vacant posts per month.

I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 March 2002, Official Report, column 220W.

Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the vacancies in his Department's press office. [40107]

Mr. Byers

[holding answer 4 March 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given above to questions 41997, 41989, and 41990.