§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many press releases were issued this year to date; and what the total cost of production and issuing of these press releases was in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000 to date each year. [132772]
§ Mr. StrawThe information for my Department is as follows:
Number 1997 386 1998 524 1999 450 2000 1250 1 To date The primary cost of issuing press releases relates to their electronic distribution which is carried out through the Central Office of Information, and postage. No central records of other costs which might be involved (eg faxing, e-mail) is available.
Electronic news distribution costs were:
713W
£ 1999 21,095 1998 21,095 1997 127,764 1 When the service included some hand delivery of press releases Postal costs varied according to the number of press releases issued in the year and were approximately £15,000 in 1997, £19,500 in 1998 and £12,000 in 1999.
Costs to date for 2000 are £11,374 for electronic distribution costs and for postage costs £6,750.