§ Mr. Maloneasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement on the publicity work of the Scottish Information Office.
§ Mr. YoungerI have placed in the Library a copy of the report of a scrutiny of the publicity section of the Scottish Information Office and of the action document setting out my response. The scrutiny was carried out as part of the 1983 programme of centrally co-ordinated efficiency exercises announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 28 July 1983.—[Vol. 46, c. 460–61.]
The report identified scope for savings of around £30,000 a year and, while I have not accepted all the detailed recommendations, the steps outlined in the action document will produce savings of that level. These savings will result from the elimination of work which I believe does not justify the cost involved—notably the publication of the newsletter from Scotland—and from minor economies and improvements suggested by the scrutineer. The important publicity and other work of the publicity section, to which I would like to take this opportunity of paying tribute, will continue.