§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what his estimate is of total Government spending on advertising and publicity for each of the last five years;870W what value for money assessments of such spending have been carried out; if he will publish these; and if he will make a statement. [103700]
§ Mr. AlexanderThe UK Government have spent the following on advertising in the last five years.
Year Cash expenditure (£000) Prices in real terms (£000)* 1997–98 60,000 65,800 1998–99 106,000 110,600 1999–2000 113,500 114,100 2000–01 192,400 186,600 2001–02 162,600 162,600 * In real terms at 2001–02 prices based on advertising media inflation rates. Source:
COI
Advertising is used by Departments when they judge it is the most cost effective way of delivering the publicity necessary to support a policy or proposal. These figures represent the advertising commissioned on behalf of Departments and Agencies by the Central Office of Information. The figures for the total publicity spend of Government Departments is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The responsibility for ensuring that the guidance, on propriety is observed and that value for money is being achieved rests with Ministers and Heads of Departments. The central guidance on these issues is "Guidance on the work of the Government Information Service" which can be found on the GICS website (www.GICS.gov.uk) and on the Cabinet Office website www.cabinet-office.gov. uk