HC Deb 09 December 1988 vol 143 cc375-6W
Mr. Blair

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the advertising and promotional budget for the Central Electricity Generating Board, including the area boards for the years 1978–79 to 1987–88; and what is the anticipated expenditure for the next five years.

Mr. Michael Spicer

This is an operational matter for the industry. I have asked the chairman of the Electricity Council to write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Blair

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the advertising and promotional expenditure by his Department for each of the last five and next five years.

Mr. Parkinson

Advertising and promotional expenditure for the years 1986–87 and 1987–88 was £37 million (of which £24.6 million represents advertising costs associated with the privatisation of British Gas) and £5.6 million respectively. The provision for 1988–89 is £6.5 million. It is not possible to identify separately all advertising and promotional expenditure before 1986–87. Forecasts of the Department's advertising and promotional expenditure for future years are not available. Further information on the Department's publicity budget will be published in the 1989 public expenditure White Paper early in the new year.