HC Deb 19 November 1986 vol 105 cc208-9W
Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the total spending of his Department on press and public relations in the current year; and what it was in 1979–80 and each intervening year.

Mr. Rifkind

The running costs of the Scottish information office in 1986–87, including the cost of paid publicity, are estimated at about £1.6 million. This compares with approximately £1.4 million in 1985–86. Directly comparable figures for years prior to the introduction of new Scottish Office budgetary arrangements in 1985–86 are not available.

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many press and public relations staff are employed in his Department; and how many were employed in 1979–80 and each intervening year.

Mr. Rifkind

The number of staff in the information officer grades employed in the Scottish information office at 1 April each year since 1979 was as follows:

Number
1979 22
1980 24
1981 20
1982 22
1983 20
1984 20
1985 19
1986 20

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the estimated spending by his Department on television, radio and newspaper advertising, respectively, and other promotional literature in the current year; and what was the total in 1979–80 and each intervening year.

Mr. Rifkind

Estimated expenditure by my Department on television, radio, newspaper advertising and promotional literature in the current year is £101,000, £85,000, £275,000 and £390,000 respectively.

Total expenditure for 1979–80 and subsequent years was:

£
1979–80 263,000
1980–81 362,000

£
1981–82 393,000
1982–83 386,000
1983–84 360,000
1984–85 704,000
1985–86 677,000