To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 15 December 2009, Official Report, column 1068W, on Freud Communications: public relations, for what reasons the Year of Music was not undertaken in-house by departmental staff; and on what dates Ministers in his Department have met Matthew Freud in the last 12 months. (324404)

“Tune In—Year of Music” was conceived as a branded campaign aimed at making a significant and high-profile communications impact and intended to involve well-known music professionals, to interest and engage young people in music.

The challenge to unite the music sector under a common brand, with the aim of maximising the reach and impact of existing and future music opportunities for young people, as well as developing and implementing the Tune In programme of activity, and securing effective media coverage at national and local level, required a specialist integrated communications agency, as outlined in the campaign brief. Freud Communications were successful in a competitive pitch process run by the Department.

Neither Ministers nor officials in the Department have met with Matthew Freud in the last 12 months.