Written question asked by Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 July 1997. It was answered by Lord Murphy of Torfaen (Labour) on Monday, 28 July 1997 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: How much her Department spends on biking press releases to (a) honourable Members and (b) other individuals or groups, each time her Department issues a press release; how many such press releases were issued by her Department (i) in the period 1st May to 1st July and (ii) in the period 1st January to 1st March; and if she will review her Department's use of couriers to deliver press releases and investigate the possibility of using fax or e-mail.

Answer: Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much her Department spends on biking press releases to (a) hon. Members and (b) other individuals or groups, each time her Department issues a press release; how many such press releases were issued by her Department (i) in the period 1 May to 1 July and (ii) in the period 1 January to 1 March; and if she will review her Department's use of couriers to deliver press releases and investigate the possibility of using fax or e-mail. [8817] Mr. Paul Murphy: (a) Nil. (b) It is not possible to identify costs per release, the total cost for delivery of releases in 1997-98 is estimated at £15,909. (i) 204 (ii) 142 The use of couriers to deliver press releases is regularly reviewed and has been substantially reduced in recent years. Fax and e-mail are now used extensively and their use is currently under review. All press releases are also available on the Internet www.nio.gov.uk/press.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 8817; 299 c96W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Government departments Facsimile transmission Email Public expenditure Press releases Northern Ireland Office Courier services
Contains statistics: Yes