§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the Solicitor-General how many press releases were issued in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) this year to date; and what the total cost of the production and issuing of these press releases was in each year. [132757]
The Solicitor-GeneralIn 1997 the Law Officers Department issued 15 press releases. In 1998 the Law Officers Department issued 21 press releases. In 1999 the Law Officers Department issued 13 press releases. This year to date the Law Officers Department has issued seven press releases. The Law Officers Department press office is small (15 per cent. of one person's total workload) and due to the low number of press notices and the limited circulation, the total cost of production and issuing of these press releases is negligible.