§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Transport why there will be no drinking and driving television publicity campaign in the central television area over Christmas and the new year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerTo ensure that the best possible results are obtained from national television drink-drive advertising this year, we are conducting an objective evaluation of our publicity campaign. This will involve three control areas—south-west, central and Yorkshire television—in which our publicity campaigns will be deferred until February. In the remaining television areas, the publicity will take place over the Christmas and new year periods as in previous years.
This will enable us to monitor the response to the campaigns in different areas at different times by in-depth research and so ensure that our future publicity strategies are formulated in the most effective possible way.
Overall spending on drink-driving advertising is being maintained at about the same level as in previous years.
As always, the rule—not only at Christmas but throughout the year—is that no one should drink and drive.