§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many(a) full time equivalents were employed by her press office and (b) secondees were placed in her press office in the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [70550]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 22 July 2002]: In July 1997, there were nine press officers in my department, including two working part time. In July 2002, there were seven press officers, all full time. A small number of informal, short term secondments to the press office took place during that time.