§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spends on biking press releases to(a) hon. Members and (b) other individuals or groups, each time his Department issues a press release; how many such press releases were issued by his Department (i) in the period 1 May to 1 July and (ii) in the period 1 January to 1 March; and if he will review his Department's use of couriers to deliver press releases and investigate the possibility of using fax or e-mail [8814]
§ Mr. Dewar[holding answer 17 July 1997]: My Department does not use couriers to deliver press releases to hon. Members or to other individuals or groups. Any such press releases are sent by electronic or surface mail. With effect from 1 October 1997, the routine use of surface mail will cease and all press releases will be issued by electronic mail.