asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the number of copies of DHSS press release 87/153, figures on National Health Service acute in-patient activity, sent out and the number of copies of the statistical bulletin referred to in the press release which were sent to (a) members of the press at the same time as the press release and (b) in response to subsequent requests from the press.

The Department issued 300 copies of press release 87/153 to the media. Of these, 110 copies, sent to national media offices and the Press Gallery of the House, were accompanied by the statistical bulletin. About 10 further copies of the bulletin were provided to journalists who subsequently requested them; there is no record of the exact number.