HC Deb 12 March 1990 vol 169 cc47-8W
Mr. Dobson

To ask the Lord President of the Council (1) what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts in the press and public relations office of the Privy Council Office; and what is the proposed complement for 1990–91;

(2) what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, by grade, in the statistical divisions in the Privy Council Office; if he will differentiate between staff in statistical posts and staff in administrative posts; and if he will give the staffing complements by grade, and differentiated between statistical and administrative posts, proposed for 1990–91;

(3) what was the total expenditure by the Privy Council Office on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91;

(4) what were the figures for the spending by the Privy Council Office 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;

(5) what were the total fees paid out by the Privy Council Office to management consultants in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his latest estimate for the current year and budget for 1990–91.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

The Privy Council Office has no staff, current expenditure or projected budgets specifically allocated to press and public relations or statistical work, and no expenditure is currently being incurred, or is proposed, in respect of advertising or the services of management consultants. Annual expenditure in the region of £3,000 is incurred in respect of the publication of Gazette notices.

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