§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total cost is of the "Your Countryside, You"re Welcome"(a) launch and (b) campaign. [43082]
§ Alun MichaelRather than a Government advertising campaign, the "Your Countryside, You"re Welcome" campaign was owned by some 50 organisations who worked as partners with DEFRA, DCMS, the Countryside Agency and the English Tourism Council. Over 100 other organisations were supportive or involved in a variety of ways. No costs can be ascribed to their time and effort, nor to the high level of activity at local and regional level around the country which has helped to re-engage urban and rural interest in a positive way.
The total cost for the PR activity to support the "Your Countryside, You"re Welcome" campaign was £209,000 plus VAT.
This covered all fees and expenses incurred on the campaign including the launch event on 28 January, the public event in Leicester Square on 10 March, and the Daily Mirror promotion in the week commencing 11 March.