HC Deb 29 April 1996 vol 276 cc368-9W
Mr. Illsley

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide a breakdown of expenditure on activities to promote Northern Ireland as an industrial development location, including overseas representation, public relations and advertising, promotional aids, visits, seminars, exhibitions, sponsorships of research in the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland for 1994–95 and 1995–96. [26229]

Mr. Ancram

[holding answer 22 April 1996]: In 1994–95 and 1995–96, the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland, to promote Northern Ireland as a industrial development location, spent as follows:

  • 1994–95: 5,781 (£000)
  • 1995–96: 6,222 (£000s).

These figures comprise:

1994–95 1995–96
Representation outside Northern Ireland 2,779 2,724
Public Relations 1,434 1,438
Advertising 119 624
Promotional Aids 1,278 1,295
Visits 61 31
Seminars/Exhibitions 110 110
Sponsorship of Research Nil Nil
Total 5,781 6,222

The marked increase in advertising expenditure in 1995–96 over 1994–95 was to allow the Industrial Development Board to gain the maximum publicity from President Clinton's successful visit to Northern Ireland in December 1995. Representations outside Northern Ireland include Great Britain.