§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on public relations during the financial year 1993–94; how much contracts with the private sector cost; and if he will list the activities covered by these contracts. [16292]
§ Mr. GoodladThe FCO diplomatic wing spent £17.6 million in 1993–94 on various forms of publicity about Britain, almost entirely for use overseas. Virtually all this sum was for products and services supplied either by the Central Office of Information or the private sector.
Only £390,000 was for publicity material intended primarily for distribution in the United Kingdom, of which consular advice and information accounted for £295,000. Contracts with the private sector were for the printing and production of booklets ad leaflets.
The ODA spent £448,000 in 1993–94 on editorial work, publications and exhibitions. £105,000 of this was for private sector contract for set-up costs and organisation of the mobile exhibition as part of a regional campaign to promote awareness of overseas development issues.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidelines his Department has issued to its agencies and other public bodies under its authority in respect of the employment of public relations companies and the procedures to be adopted in relation to requesting tenders for public relations companies. [16273]
§ Mr. GoodladThis Department has not issued guidance in respect of the employment of public relations companies.
The FCO diplomatic wing's agency—the Wilton Park conference centre—uses the FCO's standard guidance on purchasing and supply and its senior staff have participated in relevant FCO training courses. The aid wing's agency—the National Resource Institute, uses similar guidance from the Overseas Development Administration. The FCO has not provided its public bodies with guidance on tendering.