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 Peter Kilfoyle (Labour) on Thursday, 17 July 1997 on behalf of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

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. - Inc figs.

Answer: Mr. Chidgey: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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. [8825] Mr. Kilfoyle: Cabinet Office does not use couriers to bike press notices to hon. Members or to individuals or groups. The Department issued 40 press releases in the period from 1 May to 1 July 1997 and 16 press releases from 1 January to 1 March. My Department distributes press notices electronically, by fax and by post to ensure that they reach the media on time while ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 8825; 298 c334W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Government departments Facsimile transmission Email Public expenditure Press releases Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Contains statistics: Yes