To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills which external public relations firms the Risk and Regulation Advisory Council has hired since its inception; at what cost; and for what purposes. (302232)

The following expenditure figures cover contracts with external public relations firms for the period from the inception of the RRAC in January 2008 to November 2009. These figures include expenditure from the budget of the unit responsible for raising awareness of the Risk and Regulation Advisory Council work and tools.

Bell Design and Communications Ltd. to provide benefits capture, design and delivery of launch event and publication design: £87,324.

Compass Rose and Co. to provide public relations consultancy services: £53,000.