To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set out the conventions governing the propriety and cost of press releases issued by his Department, its agencies and non-departmental bodies; and what is the total cost of the press releases issued since May 1997. [71468]

[holding answer 16 February 1999]: The rules governing the work of the Government Information and Communication Service (GICS) are laid down in the Guidance on the work of the Government Information Service published by the Cabinet Office in July 1997. More specific guidance on the writing and issuing of press releases is given in the working guide for Government Information Officers. Copies of both documents are in the Library of the House.The cost of press releases issued by my Department and its agencies since May 1997 is £119,182.I will ask Chief Executives of non-departmental bodies to write to the hon. Member shortly on this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many press releases have been issued by his Department, its agencies and non-departmental bodies in each of the years 1990 to 1998. [71453]

Model	Number	Age (years)	Total purchase price £	Total annual running cost (£) (1 February 1998 to 31 January 1999)
Small/medium saloon	5	Over 9	34,515	3,141
Small/medium saloon	5	8 to 9	39,429	4,588
Small/medium saloon	23	7 to 8	191,236	25,594
Small/medium saloon	18	6 to 7	151,358	23,976
Small/medium saloon	27	5 to 6	242,965	38,099
Large saloon	4	5 to 6	65,500	12,700
Small/medium saloon	28	4 to 5	260,307	41,899
Large saloon	1	4 to 5	15,200	2,450
Small/medium saloon	16	3 to 4	187,400	26,110
Small/medium	39	2 to 3	345,982	49,130
Small/medium	68	1 to 2	604,987	76,421
Large saloon	5	1 to 2	85,340	10,690
Small/medium saloon	5	Under 1	49,380	1,152

The large saloon cars are used for the Government Car Service (GCS) in Scotland. At present, 8 chauffeurs are employed to provide this service. The number of chauffeurs has varied depending on demand on the GCS. The total annual cost of employing chauffeurs during the past five years is detailed in the table.

Year	Cost (£)
1994	150,000
1995	156,000
1996	165,000

[holding answer 16 February 1999]: The number of press releases issued by my Department and its agencies is set out in the list. I will ask Chief Executives of non-departmental bodies to write to the hon. Member shortly with this information.