To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's policy on which information produced by his Department is published in alternative media to standard print such as Braille, tape or large print.

The decision to provide a publication in media suitable for blind and partially sighted people is taken in the light of the available publicity budgets and the likely number of such people among the target audience.Recent examples of publications which have been produced in such media include leaflets on the community charge and the council tax.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements his Department makes to ensure that blind and partially sighted people have access to information produced by his Department where it has not been published in alternative media such as Braille, large print or tape.

All the publicity material published by my Department is distributed to a very wide range of media outlets, including broadcasters, for them to report on. Information is also made available to the general public through the offices of such organisations as voluntary groups, citizens advice bureaux and local authorities.