§ Mr. John Wellsasked the Minister of Overseas Development what was the total spent by his Department on advertising in the past year; and by what sum he intends 1o reduce it in the current year as a result of the present economic situation.
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§ Mr. GreenwoodIn the 12 months ending 30th June, 1966, £48,760 was spent on advertising in newspapers and periodicals: £1,787 on advertising for staff for the Miinstry itself and its associated institutions; £46,973 on advertising vacancies overseas. There was no expenditure on advertising for general publicity for the Ministry during the past year.
Payment for many of the advertisements which the hon. Member has no doubt seen is made not by the Ministry but by the Crown Agents, the cost being subsequently recovered from overseas governments.
The Ministry is fully aware of the need for stringent economy; but so long as one of its tasks is to find people for jobs overseas it will have to spend money on advertising.