HC Deb 22 January 2003 vol 398 c315W
Mr. Laws

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many press releases have been issued by her Department in each(a) year and (b) quarter from 1995–96 to 2002–03; and if she will make a statement. [92479]

Clare Short

The information is as follows:

(a) Number of press releases issued from 1995–2003 are outlined as follows:

Issued by ODA
Number
1995 71
1996 50
To May 1997 16

Issued by DFID
Number
From May 1997 47
1998 74
1999 82
2000 29
2001 38
2002 38
20031 1
1Until 21 January

(b) Number of press releases issued from 1995–96 to 2002–03 are outlined as follows:

January–March April–June July–September October–December
1995 25 14 15 17
1996 15 11 11 13
1997 16 13 8 26
1998 29 15 9 21
1999 18 17 23 24
2000 11 7 4 7
2001 18 6 5 9
2002 8 6 8 16
20031 1 — — —
1Until 21 January

With our press releases we are focusing on trying to promote coverage which raises awareness and understanding of development issues.