HC Deb 12 March 1990 vol 169 c37W
Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the figures for the spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

Mr. Maude

FCO figures for expenditure on advertising and other promotional material from 1979–80 to 1988–89, estimates for 1989–90, and budget provision for 1990–91 are:

FCO FCO
(Dip Wing) (ODA Wing)
1979–80 100,226 214,739
1980–81 116,532 145,697
1981–82 162,988 207,964
1982–83 229,711 135,506
1983–84 205,247 252,691
1984–85 149,932 234,050
1985–86 160,535 271,084
1986–87 335,754 228,347
1987–88 195,000 351,000
1988–89 289,184 714,000
11989–90 329,115 820,000
11990–91 735,000 1,047,000
1 Estimate.
2 Provision.

Increases in 1990–91 reflect additional expenditure by the diplomatic wing on publicity to promote the entitlement of certain British residents overseas to vote in British and EC elections. Additional expenditure by the ODA reflects a commitment by it to enhance public awareness of overseas development issues. It is not possible to break down these figures to identify the medium used.