§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many press releases were issued in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) this year to date; and what the total cost of the production and issuing of these press releases was in each year. [132750]
§ Mr. Chris SmithDCMS press releases are distributed directly from the DCMS Press Office and via the Central Office of Information (COI).
1109WExpenditure on distributing press releases includes postal, fax, packing, copying and stationery costs. Until the current financial year (2000–01) DCMS, in common with other Government Departments, also contributed an annual fixed charge (unrelated to the number of press releases issued) towards the upkeep of the Central Office of Information's electronic New Distribution System (NDS).
The costs are as follows:
In the calendar year 1997 the Department issued 349 press releases. Total expenditure on press release distribution was £37,540.13, including the Department's contribution towards NDS of £23,279.00.In the calendar year 1998 the Department issued 319 press releases. Total expenditure on press release distribution was £29,306.41, including the Department's contribution towards NDS of £16,074.29.In the calendar year 1999 the Department issued 315 press releases. Total expenditure on press release distribution was £31,851.92, including the Department's contribution towards NDS of £15,862.52.In the calendar year 2000 the Department has so far issued 195 press releases. Total expenditure on press release distribution so far is £15,103.21, including the Department's contribution towards NDS covering January to March 2000 of £3,965.63.