§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many ministerial special advisers have been(a) appointed and (b) dismissed since the introduction of the EU Fixed Term Workers Directive; of those dismissed, how many had been employed as special 203W advisers for over four years; and if he will estimate the additional cost if advisers had been employed on a permanent basis. [80899]
§ Mr. AlexanderSince the introduction of the Fixed Term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2002 on 1 October 2002, Ministers have appointed seven special advisers. None have been dismissed. However two special advisers have had their contracts terminated, neither of whom had been in post for over four years. It is the Government's view that special advisers cannot be employed on a permanent basis for the reasons set out in my answer to the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr. Hammond) on 15 October 2002,Official Report, column 732W.