HC Deb 09 January 1978 vol 941 cc639-41W
Dr. Hampson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the advertising and public relations budget of the Manpower Services Commission since its creation, together with the estimated budget for 1977–78.

and Road Research Laboratory. Statistics of fatal accidents could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

and other parts of the EEC, on matters consequent on the United Kingdom's membership of the EEC; and what has been the total cost of all these journeys in 1976 and in 1977 so far, respectively.

Mr. John Grant

Following are the number of journeys made by officials of the Department of Employment group during 1976 and the first three quarters of 1977:

Mr. Harold Walker

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that expenditure on public relations and advertising since its creation was as follows:

Financial year Amount
£ million
74–75 0.04
75–76 2.2
76–77 2.6

In 1974–75 publicity and advertising services were provided by the Central Office of Information on an allied service basis. From 1975–76 most of the expenditure shown above has been incurred by the Central Office of Information on a repayment basis. The figures are actual prices prevailing throughout the years.

The estimate for 1977–78 is £3.4 million at the prices prevailing when the estimate was proposed.

Dr. Hampson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those public relations companies presently employed by the Manpower Services Commission.

Mr. Harold Walker

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that no public relations companies are presently employed by the Manpower Services Commission or its agencies. Marketing, advertising and PR is carried out internally by MSC staff and substantial help is provided by the Central Office of Information on a repayment basis. Three advertising agencies are currently engaged on contracts, namely, Royds Ltd., which places advertising for the Professional and Executive Recruitment and the Employment Service Agency, Lintas, which places advertising for TSA and Saatchi and Saatchi Garland Compton Ltd. which is currently working on the special programmes. These contracts are arranged through the Central Office of Information.