§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out the conventions governing the propriety and cost of press releases issued by his Department, its agencies and non-departmental bodies; and what is the total cost of the press releases issued since May 1997. [71472]
§ Mr. MichaelRules governing the work of the GICS are laid down in the guidance of the work of the Government Information Service published by the Cabinet Office in July 1997. More specific guidance on the writing and issuing of press releases is given in the "Working Guide for Government Information Officers". Copies of both documents are in the Library of the House.
The cost of press releases issued by my Department, Agencies and non-departmental bodies since May 1997 is not kept centrally, but I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
686W
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many press releases have been issued by his Department, its agencies and non-departmental bodies in each of the years 1990 to 1998. [71457]
§ Mr. MichaelThe number of press releases issued by my Department in 1990 is not held centrally, but the figures for each of the years from 1991 to 1998 are:
- 1991: 622
- 1992: 668
- 1993: 759
- 1994: 644
- 1995: 631
- 1996: 599
- 1997: 650
- 1998: 774
- So far this year—147.
The number of press releases issued by the Department's agencies and non-departmental bodies in those years is not kept centrally, but I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.