HC Deb 30 January 2003 vol 398 c945W
Mr. Laws

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each(a) year and (b) quarter from 1995–96 to 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [92427]

Mr. Alexander

The number of press releases issued by the Cabinet Office since 1995 is as follows:

  • 1995—128
  • 1996—135
  • 1997—189
  • 1998—277
  • 1999—343
  • 2000—381
  • 2001—196
  • 2002—106

The figures for 1999 and 2000 include press releases issued by the Year 2000 Media Co-ordination Unit, which was operating from the Cabinet Office. Most of these figures will also include press releases issued on behalf of the Privy Council Office, which have only been separately identifiable since 1 January 2002.

Lists and copies of Cabinet Office press releases issued from 1999 are available at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

Providing quarterly figures since 1995–96 could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.