§ Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency spent on advertising in(a) the current financial year and (b) 1997; and how much they are planning to spend next year. [164346]
§ Dr. HowellsThe information requested on Publicity/Marketing costs for 1997, 2003 and 2004 is as follows
1997–98 some £3.4 million (as published in the Agency's accounts),2003–04 some £14 million (current forecast), and2004–05 some £13 million (current forecast).The figures represent the Agency's spend/forecast on a resource basis for publicity and marketing. Since 1997 the Agency has seen an increase in expenditure in this area due to our commitment to reducing vehicle crime and our delivery of electronic services.
Main area of increase for this financial year (2003–04) includes Continuous Registration, Mandatory V5, Vehicle Identity Checks and Fee for a new Registration Document (V62). The forecasts for next financial year (2004–05) include Electronic Vehicle Licensing and Accelerating Issue of Harmonised Registration Certificate.