HC Deb 15 June 2004 vol 422 c845W
Mr. Tyrie

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the visits abroad made by his Department's(a) special advisers and (b) unpaid advisers without Ministers in their official capacity in each year since 1996–97. [174644]

Maria Eagle

Since 1 April 2002, departmental special advisers have travelled abroad on one occasion, to Boston and Washington, USA at a cost of £4,900.00. Information prior to 1 April 2002 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The Department has no unpaid advisers.

Mr. Tyrie

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the external speeches his Department's(a) special advisers and (b) unpaid advisers have made in their official capacity in each year since 1996–97. [174645]

Maria Eagle

Since 1 April 2002, the Department's special advisers have made no external speeches in an official capacity. Information prior to 1 April 2002 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The Department has no unpaid advisers.

Mr. Tyrie

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will list the attributable(a) articles and (b) contributions that his Department's (i) special advisers and (ii) unpaid advisers have made to newspapers, magazines, journals, books and other media in their official capacity in each year since 1996–97; [174647]

(2) if he will list the attributable interviews that his Department's (a) special advisers and (b) unpaid advisers have given to newspapers, magazines and other media in their official capacity in each year since 1996–97. [174648]

Maria Eagle

Special advisers' contacts with the media are conducted in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. Since 1 April 2002, the Department's special advisers have given no attributable articles, contributions or interviews to these media. Information prior to 1 April 2002 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The Department has no unpaid advisers.

Mr. Tyrie

To ask the Secretary a State for Work and Pensions if he will list the appearances that his Department's(a) special advisers and (b) unpaid advisers have made before parliamentary select committees in their official capacity in each year since 1996–97. [174650]

Maria Eagle

Since 1 April 2002, the Department's special advisers have made no appearances before parliamentary select committees in their official capacity. Information prior to 1 April 2002 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The Department has no unpaid advisers.