§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many official Christmas cards were sent out in 1993 by(a) Ministers, (b) civil servants and (c) staff of Government agencies working in or to his Department; how much these cards cost (i) to buy, (ii) to post and (iii) in staff time to sign, address and place in envelopes.
§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out the total cost to the Benefits Agency in 1993 of those Christmas cards sent out by senior executives in their official capacity.
§ Mr. BurtThis is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.
Letter from Mr. M. Bichard to Mr. Derek Fatchett, dated 18 January 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for the total cost to the Benefits Agency of Christmas cards issued by its senior executives in an official capacity.
The senior executives of the Benefits Agency (BA) are myself, as the Chief Executive, and my Directors, who form the Benefits Agency Management Team.
A number of greetings cards were issued by myself and my Directors to managers, staff and outside organisations, but the cost of these cards and any postage costs incurred were funded, in the main, by the individual concerned.
627WThe Agency also produced "official" Christmas cards which appeared in two designs and were of a functional nature, carrying a number of Freeline and Helpline telephone numbers, which are on the reverse of the card. These cards were available to all staff within BA and their intended purpose was one of liaison and information. It was felt that there was a good opportunity at Christmas, by way of a simple greetings card, to issue a reminder to the organisations with which the Agency has contact.
A number of these "official cards" were issued by myself and my Directors, to government officials and outside bodies and organisations. Where possible such cards were distributed, along with other items of official mail, within the internal courier system at no extra cost to the Agency. Where postage costs were incurred these were restricted to second class postage.
The cost to the Agency of Christmas cards issued by myself and my Directors in an official capacity, including postage, was £48.96.
I hope you find this reply helpful.