To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what percentage of letters sent by her Department were given to (a) the Royal Mail and (b) another postal services provider for delivery in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement. (259964)

During the period 1 March 2008 to 28 February 2009, 78,105 postal items were despatched via Royal Mail. 19 international postal items, (less than 0.03 per cent. of all items) were despatched via Corporate Mailing Services (CMS) which is a private company sub-contracted to our facilities management services provider.