HC Deb 03 March 2004 vol 418 cc957-8W
Malcolm Bruce

to ask the secretary of state for Environment, food and rural affairs how much(a) her department and (b) each agency and Non-departmental public body sponsored by her department spent on (i) advertising and (ii) Information campaigns in each year since its creation; what her estimate is for 2003–04; and if she will make a statement. [149723]

Alun Michael

the department does not Maintain separate records of its expenditure for advertising and information campaigns. The expenditure for publicity by Defra's Communications Directorate, includes marketing, advertising, publications, events, shows and direct mailings, and is recorded for the financial years since Defra's creation in June 2001 as follows.

£million
2001–02 6.6
2002–03 4.7
2003–04 13.7
1 estimate

This includes communications on a 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.

Information relating to agencies and non-departmental bodies sponsored by the Department is not held centrally and could be gathered only at disproportionate cost.