HC Deb 05 November 1991 vol 198 cc66-8W
M r. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will give separate figures for the spending by his Department on(a) television advertising, (b) radio advertising, (c) newspaper advertising and (d) other promotional material in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what are his latest estimates for 1991–92 and budgets for 1992–93.

Mr. Wakeham

The information requested for 1989–90 and earlier years was contained in my reply to the hon. Member on 25 April,Official Report, col. 500. Expenditure in 1990–91, and estimated expenditure in 1991–92, is as follows:

£'000
1991–92 1990–911
Television Advertising — —
Newspaper Advertising 606 559
Radio Advertising — —
Other Promotional Material 900 1,074
1 Does not include expenditure on the privatisation of the Electricity Supply Industry.

Decisions on expenditure by media in 1992–93 have not yet been taken.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether his Department has sent unsolicited direct mail as part of the distribution of publicity material.

Mr. Wakeham

Unsolicited direct mail has been used from time to time when it has been considered the best method of disseminating advice or information to specific audiences. A recent example was a mailing to head teachers of a booklet entitled "Energy Efficiency in Buildings—Schools".

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will provide an up-to-date list of each television advertising campaign carried out, or to be carried out, by his Department during 1991–92, and of each other publicity campaign costing more than £100,000, giving for each(a) the topic, (b) the commencement date, (c) the duration and (d) the advertising, promotional and public relations companies involved.

Mr. Wakeham

My Department has a continuing programme of publicity to promote energy efficiency, including a joint campaign with the Department of the Environment on the environment and home energy efficiency and the "Making a Corporate Commitment" campaign, the United Kingdom offshore supplies industry and renewable sources of energy. None of these campaigns will involve television advertising in the current year.

The joint campaign which was launched on Monday 4 November and will run for three years is being handled by Collett, Dickenson, Pearce and Partners Ltd., and Maxima. The purpose of the campaign is to encourage householders to make their homes more energy efficient.

The "Making a Corporate Commitment" campaign was launched on 16 October 1991 and will run until 1992–93. The aim of the campaign is to encourage top management to make a corporate commitment to energy efficiency. The campaign is being handled by Laing Henry Ltd. and Network Ltd.

Mr. Dobson

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what was the total expenditure by his Department on press and public relations in 1979–80 and in each following year; and what is his estimate for 1991–92 and budget for 1992–93.

Mr. Wakeham

The estimated expenditure in 1991–92 is £675,000. This figure includes:

  1. (i) forecast expenditure by the Press Office;
  2. (ii) staff costs (salaries, accommodation and common services) for all the permanent information service and support staff in the Press Office (including the Speech Writing Unit), at 1 November 1991.

The corresponding expenditure for previous years was set out in my reply to the hon. Member on 30 April, Official Report, c. 107–8.

Details of proposed expenditure for 1992–93 are not available.