§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many ministerial announcements have not been made in the first instance to the House; and of those how many were(a) speeches to outside bodies, (b) press releases, (c) press briefings and (d) made by other means, since 1 May; and if he will make a statement about his Department's policy in respect of making public ministerial announcements. [18892]
§ Ms JowellThe most important announcements of Government policy are made, in the first instance, to Parliament. A considerable number of announcements have been made in a variety of ways, often combining different approaches, reflecting the nature of the announcement. Our policy is to adopt the most appropriate vehicle.