§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his decision to award the contract for providing information about the National Assembly to Bell Pottinger Good Relations. [73005]
§ Mr. MichaelMy Department appointed Howell Henry Chaldecott Lury following a competition arranged by the Central Office of Information on behalf of the Welsh Office. They were appointed on the basis that they gave the strongest, most effective response to the tendered campaign.
All competing Agencies were required to demonstrate that they could deal effectively with local issues and operate effectively with the Welsh Office in Cardiff. Howell Henry Chaldecott Lury invited sister company Bell Pottinger Good Relations to assist them in the competition to meet this requirement, and to provide wider expertise for the National Assembly for Wales campaign.
This appointment was ratified by the Independent Advisory Committee on Advertising.