§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many press releases have been issued by his Department, its agencies and non-departmental bodies in each of the years 1990 to 1998. [71443]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 16 February 1999]: The number of press notices issued by MAFF, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each of the years since 1990 was as follows:
Year Number 1990 408 1991 475 1992 436 1993 473 1994 493 1995 484 1996 430 1997 418 1998 499 1999 157 1As at 17 February 1999
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out the conventions governing the propriety and cost of press releases issued270W by his Department, its agencies and non-departmental bodies; and what is the total cost of the press releases issued since May 1997. [71458]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 16 February 1999]: Rules governing the work of the GICS are laid down in the guidance on 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 Libraries of the House.
The estimated total cost of press releases since May 1997 by MAFF and the agencies and the non-departmental public bodies for whom it distributes press releases is £55,000.