§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many press releases were issued by his Department(a) between 1 May and 31 December 1997 and (b) in each year from 1998 to 2001 inclusive. [40031]
§ Mr. LeslieThe Cabinet Office released 159 press notices between 1 May and 31 December 1997.
The number of press notices the Cabinet Office released for each calendar year from 1998 to 2001 is as follows:
Number 1998 277 1999 343 2000 433 2001 203 The Cabinet Office press office also issues press releases on behalf of the Privy Council Office. The figures for 1997, 1998 and 1999 include operational notes/invitations. The figures for 1999 and 2000 also include press notices issued by the Year 2000 Media Co-ordination Unit, which operated from the Cabinet Office.
§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people were employed in a press or public relations function in his Department on 1 January in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000, (e) 2001 and (f) 2002. [39934]
§ Mr. LeslieBefore 1998 the number of press officers in the Cabinet Office press office is available only as an average for financial years. In the financial year 1996–97 the average number of press officers was seven.
The number of press officers employed in the Cabinet Office press office since 1998 is as follows:
Number January 1998 11 January 1999 14 1 January 2000 20 1 January 2001 16 1 January 2002 18 The Cabinet Office press office does not have specific personnel for performing public relations functions. Where required the press officers would fulfil some of this role.