§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many press releases have been issued by his Department, its agencies and non-departmental bodies in each of the years 1990 to 1998. [71454]
§ Mr. TimmsThe information is in the table.
The number of press releases issued by the department and its agencies from 1990 to 1998 Year HQ Benefits Agency Contributions Agency Child Support Agency 1991 198 7 — — 1992 219 21 2 — 1993 229 25 26 18 1994 211 29 26 1 1995 180 29 20 2 1996 294 34 21 1 1997 291 60 50 10 1998 311 42 28 4 Notes:
1. During the year 1990 the Department was part of the Department of Health and Social Security. Figures are not available for that year.
2. Prior to 1992 the Department's HQ Press office distributed press releases concerning information on National Insurance Contributions.
3. Press Releases for the War Pensions Agency and Information Technology Services Agency are included in the figures given for Headquarters.
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out the conventions governing the propriety and cost of press releases issued by his Department, its agencies and non-departmental bodies; and what is the total cost of the press releases issued since May 1997. [71469]
§ Mr. TimmsRules governing the work of the Government Information and Communications Service are laid down in the Guidance on the work of the Government Information Service published by the Cabinet Office in July 1997. More specific guidance on the writing and issuing of press releases is given in the 677W Working Guide for Government Information Officers. Copies of both documents are in the Libraries of the House.
The total cost of press releases issued since May 1997 is as follows.
- Copies of Headquarters Press Notices1 are distributed to the media electronically on our behalf by the Central Office of Information (COI). From May 1997 to December 1998 the total cost of distribution via the COI was £36,693.
- Benefits Agency total cost £6,595.
- Contributions Agency total cost £4,810.
- Child Support Agency total cost £1,866.56.
1 The costs of press releases issued by the War Pensions Agency and Information Technology Service Agency are included in the total for Headquarters.