HC Deb 19 June 1973 vol 858 cc86-7W
Mr. Kinnock

asked the Minister of State for Defence what was the cost to public funds of producing the recruitment book "All the Queen's Men" subsequently retitled "Strictly Personal" what revenue was received from sales of "All the Queen's Men"; how many copies of each version of the book have been printed; and how many sold or distributed free.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

This book was first published commercially under its original title. The Ministry of Defence has no information concerning sales of the commercial edition. Following a decision in 1969, the copyright was purchased by the Central Office of Information in 1971. 12,000 copies of an updated edition under the new title have been printed, and distributed free by the Ministry of Defence at a total cost to public funds, including copyright, of £4,750. No copies of this edition have been sold.

Mr. Kinnock

asked the Minister of State for Defence what was the cost to public funds of recruitment, advertising and promotion for Her Majesty's Services in the last three years for which figures are available.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

The cost to public funds for recruiting advertising and promotion for Her Majesty's Forces for the last three financial years was as follows:

1970–71 About £4.74 million
1971–72 About £4.96 million
1972–73 About £5.16 million

Recruiting is very closely bound up with many other activities of the Armed Forces, and it is not therefore possible to give figures for the total cost of recruitment as such.

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