§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how 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. [18902]
603W
§ Mr. Paul Murphy[holding answer 3 December 1997]: The most important announcements of Government Policy are made, in the first instance, to Parliament. Since 1 May, other announcements have been made in a variety of ways reflecting the nature of the announcement. The information for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:
Number (a) Speeches 25 (b) Press releases 72 (c) Press briefings 12 (d) Other means 2