Press and Public Relations

HC Deb 13 November 1989 vol 160 c24

91. Winnick

To ask the Lord President of the Council what is the average annual expenditure of his office on press and public relations.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

The Privy Council Office has no budget allocated specifically to press and public relations, and employs no press or information staff. A very small proportion of the office's staffing and administration costs arises from the handling of such matters but it could not be accurately quantified.

Mr. Winnick

Does the Lord President consider that if he had more to spend on press and publicity he would be on a more equal footing with Mr. Ingham, who is increasingly being seen as the real deputy Prime Minister?

Sir Geoffrey Howe

The hon. Gentleman is joining the modest band of those obsessed with that proposition. I invite him to repudiate his obsession.