To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the advertising contracts his Department has awarded since 1 May 1997, indicating the value of contracts and the number of companies who tendered for them. [30707]

[holding answer 23 February 1998]: Advertising commissioned by the Department, and its cost, since 1 May 1997, is as follows:

	Cost (£)
IACS	7,174
Sheep scab	22,032
Livestock markets	22,260
Cattle traceability	54,410
Food safety	176,144
Miscellaneous	30,304

All advertising has been commissioned through the Central Office of Information who placed it, either with DeLaney Fletcher Bozell (appointed to be the Department's agency following a competitive pitch in 1996), or with Portland agency, where it has been outdoor advertising. Press media buying is purchased through Mediavest.