§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [16288]
§ Mr. SoamesExpenditure by the MOD headquarters information division during financial year 1993–94 was £5,450,000. Within this figure, the cost of contracts placed with the private sector was £2,427,000. This includes stand construction, graphics for various exhibitions, production of publicity films and videos, brochures and the printing of the MOD house journal, "FOCUS". The remaining £3,023,000 relates to miscellaneous programme costs as well as staff and operating costs, including the MOD press office and service directors of public relations.
Expenditure on public relations outside my Department"s HQ is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [16221]
§ Mr. SoamesMy Department, and the agencies and other public bodies under its authority, adhere closely to 753W guidelines produced by the Cabinet Office concerning the use of public relations consultants. My Department has also produced instructions for the guidance of budget holders on the use of external consultants in general.