§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was the average cost of issuing a media release from his Department in the last 12 months. [108892]
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 8 February 2000]: DCMS Press Releases are distributed via the Central Office of Information (COI). 444W In 1999 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport issued 315 press releases. The average cost of distributing a press release via the COI was £50.76, including post, fax, packing, copying, and stationery costs.
DCMS, in common with all other Government Departments, also contribute to the upkeep of the Central Office of Information's electronic news distribution system. In 1999 that contribution, which is a standing charge and is not related to the number of press releases issued by the Department, totalled £15,862.52.