§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what powers special advisers within his Department have(a)to give direct orders to civil servants and (b)to exercise other executive powers; and if he will make a statement. [159585]
§ Mr. AlexanderThe duties and responsibilities of special advisers are set out in the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. Under the terms of the Civil Service Order in Council, up to three special adviser posts in the Prime Minister's office can have executive powers. Only one special adviser currently has such powers.
§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the total cost has been of special advisers accompanying Ministers on visits(a)abroad and (b)within the United Kingdom in the last 12 months. [159569]
§ Mr. AlexanderThe Government publishes on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. The cost figure includes the costs of any special advisers accompanying the Minister overseas. The cost for the financial year 2003–04 will be published as soon as it is ready after the end of the current financial year. The detailed information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
1516WAll travel complies with the requirements of 'Travel by Ministers' and the 'Civil Service Management Code' as appropriate.
§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the total cost has been of provision of Government cars to special advisers in the last 12 months. [159570]
§ Mr. AlexanderSpecial advisers are not provided with allocated Government cars. As with all civil servants, special advisers are entitled to use official pool cars if departmental rules allow.
§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what the total cost has been of provision of Government office facilities to special advisers(a)in the last 12 months and (b)since 1997–98; [159571]
(2) which Government-owned properties are used by special advisers for official business purposes; and if he will make a statement. [159574]
§ Mr. AlexanderSpecial advisers provide advice to Ministers. They will normally be located in the same building as the appointing Minister. The cost of providing office facilities to special advisers will not normally be separately identifiable from the cost of Ministers' private offices.
§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many special advisers are employed(a)within his Department and (b)across Government as a whole; and if he will make a statement. [159572]
§ Mr. AlexanderWithin the Cabinet Office, the Minister without Portfolio currently employs one special adviser.
As of 8 March, there are 77 special advisers employed across Government as a whole.