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 Jack Straw (Labour) on Thursday, 17 July 1997 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home 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.

Answer: Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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 Janaury 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. [8818] Mr. Straw: No Home Office press releases are sent out by courier. In the period of 1 May to 1 July, my Department issued 41 press releases. In the period 1 Janaury to 1 March the number was 55. The Home Office uses both electronic distribution and fax to deliver press releases speedily to the media. In addition, all releases are placed on the Internet.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 8818; 298 c262W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Government departments Home Office Facsimile transmission Email Public expenditure Press releases Courier services
Contains statistics: Yes