HC Deb 23 March 1978 vol 946 cc740-1W
Mr. David Howell

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money is to be spent in total in promoting the industrial strategy; what agencies will make the expenditures; and whether he will give a breakdown of the proposed budget for this work as between public relations, advertising and other promotional effort.

Mr. Joel Barnett

I agree entirely on the need to publicise the industrial strategy both in the country at large and in the companies who are likely to be affected. In addition to the normal effort by NEDO and Departments, the Government have agreed to make an extra £250,000 available to the National Economic Development Council in the next financial year for this purpose. No decisions have so far been taken on the way in which this money should be spent. £5,300 has also been made available through the Department of Industry to the British Council of Productivity Associations to cover mailing costs incurred in organising a series of half-day conferences on the industrial strategy. I his money will be refunded to the extent of any profit made on the conferences.