STATES departments have defended their use of PR staff after Treasury said it did not need one.

Its director of communications, James Falla, will not be replaced immediately when he steps down in a month after resigning to move to Image PR.

Minister Charles Parkinson (pictured) said his department was confident it could handle the workload and it was seeking to cut expenditure.

‘We think that between the staff and myself we can deal with this work and if we find we can’t, we will look to replace – but for the time being we will see if we can do without,’ he said.

‘I am usually happy to be contacted by the media and deal with questions myself.

‘We think we can manage and, frankly, we are looking to cut a lot of money.’

Deputy Parkinson said he doubted Treasury received as many enquiries as the Health and Social Services Department. ‘Each department will cater to its own needs,’ he said. ‘If we were faced with that, I might feel different about the role in Treasury.’

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