§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the cost of running the Strategic Communications Unit for each of the years 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01; and what is its estimated cost for the current financial year. [HL3036]
§ Lord Macdonald of TradestonCosts for running the unit in each of the years were as follows:
- 2000–01 £957, 302
- 1999–2000 £838, 421
- 1998–99 £716,672
A large proportion of these costs are attributable to the continuing development and support of the No 10 Downing Street website, which is one of the most frequently visited government websites in the UK, receiving over 4 million hits a week.