Press and Public Relations (Hansard, 13 March 1989)

§ Mr. Dobson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the latest figures for the number of staff presently employed, and the full complement of staff, including vacant posts, in the press and public relations office of the Foreign Office; and what is the proposed complement for 1989–90.

§ Mr. Eggar
The full complement of staff in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office diplomatic wing's news department and the aid wing's administration press office is 18. There are presently no vacant posts. The complement for 1989–90 will depend on the workload during the year.

§ Mr. Dobson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the latest figure for24W (a) the estimated expenditure by his Department on press and public relations during 1988–89 and (b) the budget for 1989–90.

§ Mr. Eggar
Total expenditure on press and public relations is estimated as follows:

£ million

1988–89 1989–90

Payment to Central Office of Information for overseas information material and related activities 19.2 21.4

Other information services 1.0 1.6

Running costs of diplomatic wing information/news departments 1.9 2.0

Running of ODA wing information department 0.3 0.4

Cost of information staff at overseas posts 18.4 20.2

Total 40.8 45.6

	£ million
	1988–89	1989–90
Payment to Central Office of Information for overseas information material and related activities	19.2	21.4
Other information services	1.0	1.6
Running costs of diplomatic wing information/news departments	1.9	2.0
Running of ODA wing information department	0.3	0.4
Cost of information staff at overseas posts	18.4	20.2
Total	40.8	45.6