Written question asked by Oliver Heald (Conservative) on Friday, 5 January 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 January 2007. It was answered by Tony Blair (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 January 2007 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Downing Street Staff

Question: (2) what the cost was of the No. 10 Press Office in (a) 2002-03, (b) 2003-04 and (c) 2004-05.

Answer

For the cost of the No. 10 Press Office for the financial year 2002-03, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 22 March 2004, Official Report, columns 559-60W.The cost of the No. 10 Press Office for subsequent years was as follows:

	£
2003-04	1,393,089
2004-05	1,499,659

The total cost of running the strategic communications unit was as follows:

	£
2002-03	594,213
2003-04	537,407
2004-05	321,517
2005-06	487,464

The figures reflect ever-increasing media demands with the advent of more media outlets, 24-hour news and the growth of the internet, for example.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 113964; 455 c1167W
Session: 2006-07
Subjects: Costs Prime Minister Strategic Communications Unit
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Downing Street Staff

Secondary information

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