HC Deb 10 November 1975 vol 899 cc488-9W
Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the projected advertising budget for his Department for 1975–76; and if he will give a breakdown by media, subjects and languages.

Miss Joan Lestor

£12,800, of which £11,400 was spent on newspaper advertisements to attract suitably qualified mature students to train to teach craft design and technology in particular areas of shortage of such teachers, and £1,400 has been allocated to advertise in selected careers directories teaching as a career for mathematics and science undergraduates. The advertisements are in English.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total advertising budget of his Department in each year from 1970 to 1974; and if he will give a breakdown by media, subjects and languages.

Miss Joan Lestor

The budgets in the relevant years are:

1970–71 £31,000
1971–72 £6,000
1972–73 £1,700
1973–74 £22,000
1974–75 £23,450

In all cases these sums have been spent for advertisements in English language newspapers and careers directories aimed at attracting teachers of subjects for which there has been a shortage.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what was the total amount spent by his Department in each year from 1970 to 1975 on advertising free milk; and if he will break down the amount spent by language and by media;

(2) what was the total amount spent by his Department in each year from 1970 to 1975 on advertising free school meals; and if he will give a breakdown of the total by media and language.

Miss Joan Lestor

All local education authorities make a practice of bringing the availability of these benefits to the notice of parents and children, and, in addition, full information is incorporated in the DHSS publicity material on social welfare benefits. The high rate of take up shows that these measures have been very effective. As a result it has not been considered necessary for this Department to make use of paid publicity through the Press and media in the years in question. The matter is periodically reviewed.