HC Deb 20 March 2000 vol 346 cc402-3W
Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [113983]

Dr. Reid

[holding answer 10 March 2000]: All media outlets can request press releases. Targeted distribution will rely on the subject and content of the specific press release. The numbers involved in listing these outlets would incur disproportionate costs. Press releases are available electronically to all media outlets via Cable and Wireless. The are also available on the Internet.

Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [113973]

Dr. Reid

[holding answer 10 March 2000]: All press releases are distributed electronically via Cable and Wireless. Couriers have not been used to distribute press releases.