HC Deb 03 February 1977 vol 925 cc250-2W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what arrangements there are in his Department to monitor regional news programmes on television and local radio to keep him, and senior civil servants, informed of regional news and opinion.

Mr. Les Huckfield

Regional directors keep the Department well informed about the relevant aspects of local opinion. In addition we receive regular information about television and radio programmes, both regional and local, which cover the Department's area of responsibility. This guidance is supplemented by a daily survey of the leading regional Press which covers a considerable amount of industrial news and opinion. If my hon. Friend has any further suggestions I shall he pleased to hear from him.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many copies of each of the following newspapers are purchased each day by his Department in order to keep himself, and senior civil servants informed and how many copies of each paper purchased are northern editions; The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, Daily Express and Daily Mirror, respectively.

Mr. Les Huckfield

The following newspapers are purchased each day for Ministers and senior civil servants in the Department:

The Guardian .. … 39
Daily Telegraph … … 30
Daily Mail … … 26
Daily Express … … 26
Daily Mirror … … 27
Of these, two copies of The Guardian and one of the Daily Telegraph are northern editions.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many copies of each weekly and biweekly newspaper published within Greater Manchester are purchased by his Department to keep himself, and senior civil servants, informed of regional news and opinion.

Mr. Les Huckfield

One copy of three weekly or biweekly papers published in Greater Manchester are purchased by my Department each week for Ministers and senior civil servants.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many copies of each evening newspaper published in the North-West of England are purchased by his Department to keep himself, and senior civil servants, informed of regional news and opinion.

Mr. Les Huckfield

Three copies of evening papers published in the North-West of England are purchased by my Department each day for Ministers and senior civil servants.