Euro (Hansard, 1 December 1998)

§ Mr. Rammell
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for a public information campaign on preparing for the euro; and if he will make a statement. [61685]

§ Ms Hewitt
The Euro Preparations Unit's (EPU) communication campaign on the euro is not a general public information campaign but is specifically targeted at ensuring that UK businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), are aware of the implications of the introduction of the single currency from 1 January 1999 and have the information they need to address the issues arising from this.
The EPU's business communication campaign on the euro has proved highly effective in reaching its target audience of SMEs. Since the beginning of May. there have been requests for over 300,000 "business preparations for the euro" factsheet packs from businesses and key intermediary bodies.

§ Mr. Rammell
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total expenditure and the breakdown of the expenditure on(a) public opinion research, (b) television, radio and newspaper advertising and (c) direct mail by the Euro Preparations Unit; and if he will make a statement. [61687]

§ Ms Hewitt
The Euro Preparations Unit's (EPU) business communication campaign on the euro has proved highly effective in reaching its target audience of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Since the beginning of May, there have been requests for over 300,000 "business preparations for the euro" factsheet packs from businesses and key intermediary bodies.
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The EPU received Summer Supplementary Estimate provision of £7.5 million for 1998–99. Spend to date has been approximately £0.5 million for direct mailing to 1.6 million UK SMEs, and £4.75 million for the costs of the television, press and radio elements of the campaign. The EPU has not conducted any public opinion research, but has conducted two statistical business survey reports costing approximately £75,000. These surveys track overall euro awareness and preparations amongst UK SMEs as well as measuring the success of the EPU's communications campaign. These figures do not include VAT or postage.