§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [113970]
862W
§ Mr. StrawThe Home Office press office does not use couriers to distribute news releases and has no record or recollection of one being used during the period detailed. Press releases are distributed via the Electronic News Distribution Service, e-mail, post and are placed on the Home Office website.
§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [113997]
§ Mr. StrawHome Office press releases are distributed in a number of different ways including electronically, by fax, e-mail and by post. All are now posted on the Home Office website. National media receive all Home Office press releases while others, depending on a range of factors such as subject and content, are distributed to the regional, local or specialist media. Identifying the distribution list of every press release since 2 May 1997 would, however, incur disproportionate costs. If the hon. Member would like to write to me about a particular news release that he has in mind, I would be happy to provide any further information that is available.