§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will publish his best estimates of the numbers of staff involved in(a) the production and distribution of the Minister for Local Government's articles on the community charge, and (b) the direct contact made with local newspapers in connection with these articles;
(2) if he will publish his best estimates of the total cost of (a) the production and distribution of the Minister for Local Government's articles on the community charge, and (b) the direct contact made with local newspapers in connection with those articles.
§ Mr. Gummer[holding answer 6 June 1989]: As is customary with ministerial articles, several officials made suggestions or contributions. Information officers in London and each of the seven regions helped to contact local newspapers. In all cases, these activities constituted only a small part of the duties of the officials concerned. The precise costs are therefore not readily identifiable.