§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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 he will make a statement about his Department's policy in respect of making public ministerial announcements. [18898]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 3 December 1997)Any policy announcement that should be made to the House has been made to the House, and it is my policy to ensure that this practice continues.