To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what percentage of letters sent by his Department were given to (a) the Royal Mail and (b) another postal services provider for delivery in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. (259962)

From information held centrally, the core-Department has not used any postal service provider other than Royal Mail in the last 12 months. For the period 1 February 2008 to 28 February 2009 inclusive, the core-Department gave the Royal Mail 2,037,695 letters.