To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the purpose is of the PRINCE—Role of the European Union in the World programme; what its target audience is; what activities occur in the UK under the programme; whether public relations consultants are employed under the programme; what input his Department has into the programme; and if he will make a statement. (130635)

The budget line ‘PRINCE—Role of the European Union in the World’ funds information and communication activities directed towards the citizens of the EU and European Neighbourhood Policy countries. Its aim is to explain the EU’s external actions activity to citizens.

There have been no activities conducted in the UK under this budget line and HM Treasury has no input into this programme. DG RELEX has employed external contractors to help with the logistics and organisation of its seminars, visits to third states, and in developing publications and its website.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the objectives are of the PRINCE—Information and Communication Strategy (EU budget item, code 22 04 01); what its target audience is; what activities occur in the UK under the programme; whether public relations consultants are employed by the programme; what input his Department has to the programme; and if he will make a statement. (130636)

PRINCE—Information and Communication Strategy (budget line 22 04 01) is a European Commission programme which funds information and communication activities on priority EU policies. The aim of the programme is to facilitate an effective dialogue on enlargement between European citizens and the EU institutions. Target audiences include the general public, youth groups, the media, opinion leaders and rural populations.

HM Treasury has no input into this programme. We understand that the Commission has funded several seminars in the UK. HM Treasury does not hold information on public relations consultants employed by the Commission in support of the aforementioned activities.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the UK is taking under the EU (a) PRINCE-Euro and (b) PRINCE programmes; and if he will make a statement. (130659)

PRINCE is made up of a number of budget lines which include: Euro—PRINCE; PRINCE—Area of Freedom, Security and Justice; PRINCE—Information and Communication Strategy; and PRINCE—Role of the European Union in the World.

PRINCE—Euro is a European Commission information programme aimed at informing European citizens of matters relating to the introduction of the euro. The UK Government policy is to join the euro if Government, Parliament and the people, in a referendum, all agreed that it would be the right thing to do. In advance of any such decision, the UK is not undertaking any communication activities funded by this programme.