§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department spends on biking press releases to(a) hon. Members and (b) other individuals or groups, each time his Department issues a press release; how many such press releases were issued by his Department (i) in the period 1 May to 1 July and (ii) in the period 1 Janaury to 1 March; and if he will review his Department's use of couriers to deliver press releases and investigate the possibility of using fax or e-mail. [8818]
§ Mr. StrawNo Home Office press releases are sent out by courier. In the period of 1 May to 1 July, my Department issued 41 press releases. In the period 1 Janaury to 1 March the number was 55. The Home Office uses both electronic distribution and fax to deliver press releases speedily to the media. In addition, all releases are placed on the Internet.