Advisers (Hansard, 11 July 1990)

§ Mr. McLeish
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to second a public relations adviser from the firm WPP to his Department.

§ Mr. Howard
I have no such plans.

§ Mr. McLeish
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to appoint further advisers to his Department.

§ Mr. Howard
My Department employs advisers in a range of specialist areas, including further education, TVEI and health and safety. Such appointments are made as circumstances require.

§ Mr. McLeish
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the external advisers currently assisting his Department.

§ Mr. Eggar
My Department seeks advice from those in a position to help with the development of its policies and its programmes. Details could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

§ Mr. McLeish
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment which firm has been appointed to advise on the work of his Department in the autumn campaign on training.

§ Mr. Eggar
Saatchi and Saatchi was appointed in May to advise on the Department's paid publicity. No decisions have been taken on an autumn training campaign.

§ Mr. McLeish
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) when he last met representatives of the firm WPP to discuss services to his Department;
(2) if he will make a statement on his meeting with Mr. Martin Sorrell, chief executive of WPP Group plc.

§ Mr. Howard
[holding answer 9 July 1990]: I last met the chief executive of WPP plc on 21 March 1990. We discussed a wide range of issues.