§ Mr. Rookerasked the Minister for the Civil Service how many advertising agencies are on the COI approved list for handling Government advertising; and what is the procedure for adding to and substracting from the list.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisThe Central Office of Information employs 26 advertising agencies to handle Government advertising campaigns. These agencies are nominated to make competitive presentations for each campaign to COI and the sponsoring Department concerned on the recommendation of the independent Advisory Committee on the Appointment of Advertising Agents under the chairmanship of Sir David Barran. No contract is issued to advertising agencies for a period exceeding one year. New applications from advertising agencies wishing to be considered for Government campaigns are submitted to and examined by the Committee.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Minister for the Civil Service what procedure is used by the COI to ensure that agencies appointed to handle Government advertising use only commercial judgment when sub-contracting the purchase of printers' blocks.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisUnder present arrangements, advertising agencies appointed to handle Government campaigns are free to select suppliers. The Central Office of Information has recently written to these advertising agencies reminding them of the necessity to subcontract in such a way as to obtain the best value for money.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the expenditure on Government advertising in the past year; and how much of this was placed via advertising agencies.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisTotal Government expenditure on advertising in the financial year 1975–76 was £17,528,900,324W Of this, £16,124,500 was placed via advertising agencies.