HC Deb 20 January 1988 vol 125 cc738-9W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has yet replied to the letter sent to him on 9 November 1987 by the welfare rights team of Newham borough council.

Mr. Portillo

I regret that the Department has no trace of the correspondence from the welfare rights team of Newham borough council.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services why his Department has stopped sending press releases to welfare rights organisations; on whose authority the decision was taken; and when it was taken.

Mr. Portillo

The Department's press office has not stopped sending press notices to any one group of recipients. It does, however, review its long press lists from time to time. It works on the principle that press notices are designed and intended for the press and this is where they are mainly sent. Organisations, companies and individuals write in from time to time asking for press notices and these requests are considered on their merits.

The headquarters of voluntary and other charitable organisations who receive calls from the press or the public about health or social security are among those added to our press lists on request. If the hon. Member knows of any organisation which has a particular need for the Department's press releases and has recently been unable to get them I would be grateful if he would write to me.