HC Deb 01 July 1994 vol 245 c767W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the Highways Agency has spent on public relations to date; what is its public relations budget for this year; and to which companies it has awarded any contracts for public relations work.

Mr. Key

This question is an operational matter for the Highways Agency. The chief executive, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, has written to the hon. Member.

Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Simon Hughes, dated 24 June 1994: I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on how much the Highways Agency has spent on public relations; what is the public relations budget for this year; what companies have been awarded contracts for public relations work. Latest figures show that the Highways Agency has spent some £38,000, excluding VAT, on public relations, mainly on regional press activity relating to road maintenance and construction schemes. An overall public relations budget has yet to be established. The Central Office of Information provides press services in the regions. The Highways Agency has its own press office to deal with national issues.