§ Mr. KilfoyleTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the work done in each year from 1992 to 2000 by the Central Office of Information for the Royal Household and its value; when this relationship ended; how the value of that work was transformed into grant-in-aid to the Royal Household; and for what reason. [145192]
§ Marjorie MowlamWork carried out by the Central Office of Information (COI) for the Royal Household comprises organising media facilities for royal visits, issuing press notices, preparation of press summaries and work on the Royal website. Its value was as follows:
Year 1£000 1991–92 358 1992–93 361 1993–94 308 1994–95 365 1995–96 394 1996–97 388 1997–98 372 1998–99 295 1999–2000 172 1 Excluding VAT For the years up to and including 1997–98 work was paid for from the COI vote. In 1998–99 the Royal Household was provided with a grant-in-aid from the 177W COI vote with which to procure information and communication services in order to match operational responsibility and financial control with the aim of achieving best value for money. In respect of 1999–2000 and subsequent years, the COI vote was transferred to the Department for Culture Media and Sport. The Central Office of Information trading fund continues to provide services to the Royal Household on a payment basis.