§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total expenditure and the breakdown of expenditure was in his Department for the financial years(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000, and what the planned expenditure and breakdown of expenditure for 2000–01 is on (i) public opinion research, (ii) television, radio and newspaper advertising and (iii) direct mail. [149258]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 8 February 2001]: My Department has let only one contract for public opinion research during the period in question. In order to preserve commercial confidentiality I am unable to provide details of the cost. The following table shows the cost of newspaper advertising to attract candidates for the many public appointments for which I am responsible.
£ 1996–97 0 1997–98 0 1998–99 242,700 1999–2000 139,501 2000–011 72,000 2000–01 85,000 1 Spend to date 2 Planned spend No expenditure has been either incurred or is planned for television or radio advertising or direct mail.