HC Deb 25 March 2002 vol 382 cc587-8W
Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the annual budget for communications and (e) 2001–02 (i) to date and (ii) as estimated for the whole of the present year; and if he will break these figures down to indicate expenditure on (A) advertising and (B) press and public relations. [36166]

The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State

The information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Details of departmental expenditure for advertising over the last four years and to date is as follows:

£000
1997–98 144
1998–99 138
1999–2000 262
2000–01 464
2001-to date1 163
1 This includes financial information from 1 April 2001 to 28 February 2002.

The increase in expenditure from 1998–99 to 2000–01 from £138,000 to £464,000 is due to expenditure on recruitment advertising for posts within the Department. These posts range from administration and junior management level through to the senior civil service. Also included is recruitment advertising expenditure for specialist placements within the Government Information and Development Centre.