Central Office of Information (Export Promotion)

HC Deb 18 March 1980 vol 981 cc112-3W

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what would be the saving in (a) manpower, (b) wages and salaries and (c) materials, accommodation and other expenses at the Central Office of Information if public expenditure on export promotion ceased.

Mr. Channon

The total expenditure by COI, on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the British Overseas Trade Board, on export promotion publicity in the current year is estimated at £8 million. This is made up of £3.5 million on wages and salaries, and £4.5 million on production, distribution, materials, accommodation and other expenses. The work involved represents the effort of about 500 staff.