HC Deb 03 February 1977 vol 925 cc321-3W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Transport 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. William Rodgers

There are no resources available within my Department for the continuous monitoring of all radio and television news programmes. However, regional staff of the Department, assisted by the regional staff of the COI, try to ensure that I am kept informed of regional news and opinion throughout the country.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Transport 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. William Rodgers

Copies of the following newspapers are purchased for individuals:The Guardian, four copies, of which one is the northern edition; and three copies each of the remainder. In addition, a common service of Press cuttings and distribution of newspapers to senior officials is shared with the Department of the Environment, and the number of copies purchased for this purpose is included in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment to a similar Question.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

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

Mr. William Rodgers

One copy of each of the following weekly and biweekly papers published in the Greater Manchester area are purchased:Bury Times, Denton Reporter, Stockport Advertiser and Stockport Express.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Transport 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. William Rodgers

One copy of each of the following evening newspapers published in the North-West of England is purchased by my Department:Evening Post (Lancs.), Evening Star (Lancs.), Evening Telegraph (Lancs.) and Manchester Evening News.