§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make available on request to hon. Members his departmental press releases on the day of release.
§ Mr. RifkindThe main method of distributing the MOD's and other Government Departments' press releases is through the Central Office of Information's electronic news distribution service. This ensures that material becomes available to hon. Members and noble Lords through the computerised parliamentary on-line information system (POLLS) at the same time that it is released to the media.
In addition, my Department sends press releases to the House of Commons Library by facsimile as soon as practicable after electronic distribution. Copies are also sent direct to Opposition defence spokesmen and to the Clerk of the Select Committee on Defence.
I believe that these are the most cost-effective means of keeping each House informed of press announcements.