§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the salary costs to the Department were for employees working in public relations and publicity in each year since 1997. [183855]
§ Mr. MullinForeign and Commonwealth Office costs in relation to 2003–04 are not yet available. The salary costs to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of employees working in public relations and publicity came to £1.8 million in 2001–02 and £2.1 million in 2002–03. These figures exclude the salary costs of employees working on public diplomacy (the objective of which is to promote the UK overseas), recruitment advertising, provision of public information such as travel advice, and production of annual reports. They also exclude costs associated with Press and Public Affairs Officers at overseas posts, which could be provided only at disproportionate costs. Figures for previous years are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate costs.