§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total cost of producing the North Yorkshire district benefit agency's 1993–94 business plan and yearbook; how many copies were produced; and to whom they have been given.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of the Benefits Agency is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, its chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from M. Bichard to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 14 January 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking details about the cost and production of the North Yorkshire Benefits Agency's 1993–94 Business Plan and Yearbook.The Benefits Agency requires its District Offices to produce Business plans for external customers. In total 460 copies of the North Yorkshire District Benefits Agency 1993–94 Business Plan and Yearbook were produced and distributed to client representatives in the North Yorkshire Area. Of these 330 copies were distributed to local councillors and Members of Parliament and 65 copies to Statutory and Voluntary organisations, for whom the year book is intended as a reference document. Other copies were distributed internally.The majority of the preparation work was done locally, all the photographs being provided by the District Office staff and the document was produced on recycled paper. With the exception of 70 copies issued by second class post, all other copies were distributed at nil cost.Some of the design and artwork was completed by Benefits Agency Publishing House at a staffing cost of £999.42 met from their own budget allocation. HMSO printing costs were covered out of the Benefits Agency's printing budget.I hope you find this reply helpful.