§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total expenditure on advertising by the Department888W was in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03; and what the level of planned expenditure is for (i) 2003–04 and (ii) 2004–05. [114423]
§ Alun MichaelThe Department does not maintain records of its expenditure on advertising separately. The expenditure for publicity by Defra's Communications Directorate, which includes advertising, publications, events, shows and direct information literature mailings in financial year 2001–02 was £6.6 million and in 2002–03 is estimated to be £6.0 million. The allocation for 2003–04 is £4.3 million.
This includes communication on a very wide range of matters, much of it necessary or beneficial to the public and the wide range of industries in which Defra has an interest, together with local government, voluntary organisations and other bodies.
Decisions on publicity budgets for 2004–05 have not yet been made. These will be made later this year as part of the planning process