§ Mr. WebbTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many ministerial announcements have not been made in the first instance to the House; and of those how many were(a) speeches to outside bodies, (b) press releases, (c) press briefings and (d) made by other means, since 1 May; and if she will make a statement about her Department's policy in respect of making public ministerial announcements. [18901]
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 3 December 1997]Since 1 May, my Department has made 455 announcements by press release, including a number relating to public speeches. All major announcements are made to Parliament first when it is sitting, excluding certain market-sensitive decisions. Recent announcements include the extension of the fossil fuel levy to imported electricity, the review to modernise partnership law and the Bill to introduce the National Minimum Wage. Press briefings are usually held to give further explanation to announcements, after they have been made public.