§ Mr. Robin CookTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on press and public relations and publicity material in connection with "Working for Patients"(a) since it was launched and (b) estimated for 1990–91.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[holding answer 9 March 1990]: We spent £ 138,000 on the production of leaflets informing the general public about the White Paper. No further expenditure on public information has been incurred since. The press office of my Department has handled press relations on the subject as part of its ordinary responsibilities.
I do not regard expenditure on communications with and information for the staff of the National Health Service about the implications of the proposed changes for them and their hospitals, as expenditure on press and public relations or publicity.