HC Deb 10 March 2000 vol 345 cc839-40W
Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the(a) national, (b) regional and (c) local newspapers and media bodies to which his Department sent news releases during the period 2 May 1997 to 29 February 2000. [113986]

Mr. Byers

All DTI News Releases are distributed to the media through the Central Office of Information. The COI's News Distribution Service distributes news releases electronically to all the main national and regional newspapers, news agencies and to broadcasting organisations. The COI distribute News Releases via fax and mail to other media organisations who have asked to receive DTI News Releases. The COI's Regional Offices also distribute DTI News Releases via fax and mail to their local media organisations. All DTI News Releases are available on the Internet.

Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for the period 2 May 1997 to 29 February 2000 what was(a) the number of occasions on which couriers were used to distribute news releases from his Department and (b) the total cost of using couriers to distribute news releases. [113965]

Mr. Byers

Between 2 May 1997 and 29 February 2000 the DTI has used no couriers to distribute news releases. All DTI News Releases are distributed to the media through the Central Office of Information.