§ Mr. Strawasked the Secretary of State for Transport to whom the letter entitled "Dear Transport Operator" signed by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State was sent; how many copies of the letter were issued; and at what cost.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe letter entitled "Dear Transport Operator" was sent to businesses in the transport field who might wish to take up the opportunities provided 581W by the Transport Act 1985 to extend their activities into public service vehicle operation. About 39,000 copies of the letter were printed, at a cost of £1,500. They were mailed at no extra cost with copies of the leaflet, "Your Business in the Making", for which the combined printing and postage cost was £22,000.
§ Mr. Strawasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many copies of the leaflets "Your Business in the Making: Tomorrow's Buses" have been printed; how the leaflets are to be distributed; what has been the total cost; and whether it is planned to issue any other similar leaflets.
§ Mr. David MitchellAbout 54,500 copies of the leaflet "Your Business in the Making" have been printed and mailed at a cost of £22,000. These leaflets have been mailed to transport businesses which might be interested in extending their activities into public service vehicle operations.
Similar leaflets have been provided for existing bus operators, taxi and hire car operators. Other leaflets are in preparation directed at potential investors and operators in the bus business, financial ad legal advisors and members of the general public.
§ Mr. Strawasked the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements he has already made or plans to make for publicising the terms of the Transport Act 1985; and what is the total estimated cost of such publicity and advertising, including the costs of preparation within his Department.
§ Mr. David MitchellApproximately £950,000 has been set aside for paid publicity, mainly in the form of short leaflets and trade press advertising. The aim is to provide information to the public on the Transport Act, and to draw the attention of those concerned to the new business opportunities it provides. The cost of officials' and my time in preparing information material has not been assessed separately and is not included in this figure.
§ Mr. Strawasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will name any advertising agents or public relations consultants who have been retained by his Department to advise on publicity relating to the Transport Act 1985; and what is their likely cost.
§ Mr. David MitchellMy Department has been advised on the paid publicity programme for the Transport Act 1985 by the Central Office of Information, with assistance on press advertising from Davidson Pearce Ltd, the Department's contracted agency on other issues. A total of approximately £950,000 has been set aside in 1985–86 and 1986–87 for its advice, the preparation of information material, and media costs.