HC Deb 14 March 1978 vol 946 cc171-3W
Mr. Craigen

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how much Government Departments have spent on advertising in the Press and television during the last year for which figures are available; and what are the main advertising agencies used for the distribution of Government in receipt of occupational pensions which are increased under, or by analogy with, the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 are set out below with the annual cost:

departmental advertising or publicity campaigns.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

During the financial year 1977–78 some £17,220,000 will be spent on Government advertising in the Press and on television. This represents expenditure by the Central Office of Information, Civil Service Commission, Department for National Savings and the Scottish Office. The main advertising agencies used by these Departments are:

  • Arnott Somerville Ltd. (Glasgow).
  • Boase, Massimi, Pollitt Partnership Ltd.
  • Byfield, Whelan Osborn and Cruttenden Ltd.
  • Charles Barker Ltd.
  • Collett, Dickenson, Pearce and Partners Ltd.
  • Davidson, Pearce, Berry and Spottiswood Ltd.
  • Dorland Ltd.
  • Doyle Dane Bernbach Ltd.
  • Foote, Cone and Belding Ltd.
  • Freeman Matthews and Milne Ltd.
  • French Gold Abbott Kenyon and Eckhardt Ltd.
  • Hall Advertising Ltd (Edinburgh).
  • Leo Burnett Ltd.
  • Lintas Ltd.
  • London Advertising Partnership Ltd.
  • McCann-Erickson Ltd.
  • Mathers and Bensons Advertising Ltd.
  • NSW Partners Ltd.
  • Ogilvy, Benson and Mather Ltd.
  • PA Advertising Ltd.
  • Royds London Ltd.
  • Saatchi, Saatchi, Garland-Compton Ltd.
  • J. Walter Thompson Ltd.
  • Wasey, Campbell-Ewald Ltd.
  • Young and Rubicam Ltd.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the total expenditure on Government advertising listed separately for Press and other media for the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what proportion of the total was paid to the advertising agencies through which the advertising was placed.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

The total amount spent on Government advertising during the financial year 1977–78 will be £18462,000 broken down as follows:

£
press 12,226,000
television 4,994,000
radio 157,000
cinema 115,000
posters 970,000

Of the total amount some 95 per cent. will be paid to advertising agencies. Approximately 15 per cent. of the total amount is allowed to the agencies by the media owners.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will investigate the possibilities of Her Majesty's Government's purchasing newspaper advertising space direct from the newspapers concerned rather than placing their advertising through agencies.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

There are no financial economies to be achieved from purchasing space direct from the newspapers indeed, the cost to the Exchequer would be significantly higher. Full space costs are charged to advertisers who do not use the services of an agency recognised by the media as qualified to earn 15 per cent. commission as revenue. The Central Office of Information which handles most Government advertising would have to become an advertising agency in its own right in order to qualify for the 15 per cent. commission; and would thus have to recruit many more civil servants to provide the full range of creative and other services at present supplied by agencies.

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