Written question asked by Lord Chidgey (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 17 July 1997. It was answered by Derek Fatchett (Labour) on Thursday, 17 July 1997 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth 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. - This Department does not deliver press releases by courier. They are distributed by fax or e-mail, and are also available on the Internet.

Answer: Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [8820] Mr. Fatchett: This Department does not deliver press releases by courier. They are distributed by fax or e-mail, and are also available on the Internet.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 8820; 298 c253W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Government departments Facsimile transmission Email Public expenditure Foreign and Commonwealth Office Press releases Courier services
Contains statistics: Yes