HC Deb 19 April 2004 vol 420 c274W
Mr. Laws

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many press officers were employed in the Department in each year from 1990–91 to 2003–04; what the total cost was in each year; and if he will make a statement. [162858]

Mr. Lammy

The Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) was created in June 2003. Since its inception the DCA, which includes its agencies—the Court Service and the Public Guardianship Office (PGO) has employed:

2003–04
Number Paybill (£)
Press Officers 14 384,661
Support Staff 6 140,963

The Directors of Communications of the DCA and PGO, the DCA Deputy Director of Communications, and the DCA Head of News also deal with the media within their wider responsibilities.