§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how much his Department spent on public relations during the financial year 1993–94; how much contracts with the private sector cost; and if he will list the activities covered by these contracts. [16280]
§ Miss WiddecombeThere was no expenditure by the Employment Department Group or contracts with the private sector for public relations activities during the financial year 1993–94.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what guidelines his Department has issued to its agencies and other public bodies under its authority in respect of the employment of public relations companies and the procedures to be adopted in relation to requesting tenders for public relations companies. [16208]
§ Miss WiddecombeCentral guidance on publicity and the use of public relations consultants has been produced by the Cabinet Office for Government Departments. The Employment Department Group and its agencies have been issued with that guidance which stipulates the stated policy of successive administrations to rely on the expertise and experience of the Government's own advisers and to decline offers from commercial public relations companies.