HC Deb 29 March 1995 vol 257 c679W
Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines her 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. [16215]

Mr. Sackville

The Department has not issued guidelines to agencies and public bodies under its authority specifically for the employment of public relations companies. However, the requests for tenders for these and other services are handled in accordance with general purchasing guidance issued by the Department.

Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much her Department spent on public relations during the financial year 1993–94; how much contracts with the private sector cost; and if she will list the activities covered by these contracts. [16282]

Mr. Sackville

Functions which are identified as public relations are normally carried out within the Department by the press and publicity branches of the information division.