To ask the Minister for Women and Equality pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2009, Official Report, column 351W, on Equality and Human Rights Commission: public relations, what payments the Commission has made to (a) Positif Politics and (b) APCO Worldwide since its establishment; on what dates and for what purposes; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the contracts under which such payments were made. (315616)

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has provided the following information about its payments.

(a) Positif Politics

A total of two payments were made to Positif Politics between May and June 2008 for staff training sessions, including seminars on local government elections and the Welsh Assembly legislative system

£233.83 paid 5 May 2008 (£199.00 plus £34.83 VAT)

£233.83 paid 24 June 2008 (£199.00 plus £34.83 VAT)

(b) APCO Worldwide

A total of three payments were made to APCO Worldwide between January and June 2008 for work undertaken during the transition period between May and October 2007 when the new commission was being set up. This included the development of a campaign programme which enabled the EHRC to raise awareness of its profile and highlight its key priorities across a range of audiences

£28,044.02 paid on 16 January 2008 (£23,867.25 plus £4,176.77 VAT)

£28,032.80 paid on 20 February 2008 (£23,857.70 plus £4,175.10 VAT)

£28,059.49 paid on 4 June 2008 (£23,880.42 plus £4,179.07 VAT)

Contracts are Commercial in Confidence and as a consequence will not be placed in the Library.