HC Deb 08 September 2004 vol 424 cc1246-7W
Richard Ottaway

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost of running the Department's canteen facilities was in(a) 1996–97 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available. [184378]

Alun Michael

Defra came into being in June 2001. From information held centrally, the cost of running the Department's canteen facilities in financial year 2001–02 was £398,058 and in financial year 2003–04 the cost was £443,025.

Richard Ottaway

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent by her Department on public relations consultants in(a) 1996—97 and (b) in the last year for which figures are available. [184381]

Alun Michael

Defra was formed in June 2001. Figures on expenditure on public relations consultants by all sections of Defra are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. There has been no expenditure on public relations consultancy by the Defra's Communications Directorate since the Department was set up. Some firms which include public relations activities among the range of services they provide to clients have been employed by some sections of Defra, but not primarily for that purpose.

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