HC Deb 12 March 2002 vol 381 cc1054-5W
Mr. Weir

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total expenditure was on(a) advertising, (b) polling, (c) focus groups, (d) design consultants, (e) caterers, (f) production of departmental publications and (g) photographs/photographers by his Department for each year since 1995 in (i) cash and (ii) real terms; what was (A) the annual percentage increase in spending on each category and (B) spending on each category as a percentage of the total departmental running costs; and if he will make a statement. [6898]

Mr. Hutton

I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002,Official Report, column 192W.

The table shows figures on total spend on advertising including promotional campaigns for the Department for the financial years 1996–97 to 2000/01.

£ million
Financial year Advertising expenditure
1996–97 2.50
1997–98 2.27
1998–99 8.63
1999–2000 14.83
2000–01 21.12

The information requested at (b) to (g) above is not collected centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much he forecasts will be spent in the current financial year by his Department as a direct result of measures associated with terrorism. [10234]

Mr. Hutton

[holding answer 26 October 2001]: I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in responding to this question. I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 192W.

The measures we have taken are an essential part of the ongoing planning process, and are closely integrated into the general preparedness of the NHS to deal with a broad range of potential emergencies.

The Department has also committed considerable staff time and effort into dealing with the consequences of the events of 11 September to which it would be difficult to attribute a specific financial value.

The Department's annual report will be available later in the year.