To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department spent on the promotional campaign Can Eco-towns be a Good Housing Solution (a) in total and (b) featuring Curborough, Staffordshire. (210208)

[holding answer 12 June 2008]: Exact costs for the advertorials entitled: ‘Can Eco-towns be a Good Housing Solution’ are still to be finalised. However, we expect to spend approximately £53,000 in total for this series and I can confirm that the cost of buying media space for the Curborough advertorial was £1,250.64.

These advertorials encourage individuals in areas near potential eco-town locations to participate in the current period of consultation, which Government have a duty to support.