Written question asked by Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 23 July 1997. It was answered by Donald Dewar (Labour) on Wednesday, 23 July 1997 on behalf of the Scottish Office.

Scottish Office

Question: How much his Department spends on biking press releases to (a) honourable Members and (b) other individuals or groups, each time his Department issues a press release; how many such press releases were issued by his Department (i) in the period 1st May to 1st July and (ii) in the period 1st January to 1st March; and if he will review his Department's use of couriers to deliver press releases and investigate the possibility of using fax or e-mail. - (Holding answer 17 July 1997).

Answer: Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spends on biking press releases to (a) hon. Members and (b) other individuals or groups, each time his Department issues a press release; how many such press releases were issued by his Department (i) in the period 1 May to 1 July and (ii) in the period 1 January to 1 March; and if he will review his Department's use of couriers to deliver press releases and investigate the possibility of using fax or e-mail [8814] Mr. Dewar: [holding answer 17 July 1997]: My Department does not use couriers to deliver press releases to hon. Members or to other individuals or groups. Any such press releases are sent by electronic or surface mail. With effect from 1 October 1997, the routine use of surface mail will cease and all press releases will be issued by electronic mail.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 8814; 298 c611W;298 c609W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Government departments Facsimile transmission Email Public expenditure Scottish Office Press releases Courier services
Contains statistics: Yes