HC Deb 03 December 1997 vol 302 c262W
Mr. Webb

To 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 Jowell

The 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.