§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total expenditure by his Department on publicising the Homes scheme during the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available; what steps he has taken to ensure that the rate of expenditure is sufficient to communicate effectively with the section of the community at which it is aimed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoA major part of Homes activity is the general promotion and publicity, throughout the UK, of housing mobility and exchange schemes to local authorities and housing associations, and their tenants. Regular financial and monitoring reports on this work are submitted to the Department. In the current financial year Government funding of Homes is £1.55 million, of which £1.48 million is contributed by the Department of the Environment. £50,000 of this total budget relates specifically to the costs of publicity materials such as application forms, information leaflets and posters.