asked Her Majesty's Government:
How much was spent by the Department for Transport on magazines, newspapers and other publications in each of the last three years. [HL4932]
Total payments coded as expenditure for magazines, newspapers and other publications in the Department for Transport’s accounting systems during the last three complete financial years is recorded as:
2005/06—£553,881
2006/07—£277,389
2007/08—£302,267.
The totals exclude data from the Government Car and Despatch Agency and the Driving Standards Agency, which could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
From 2006-07, the central department introduced a revised coding structure. Prior to this, it was not possible to separate expenditure on books and purchases of other official material. The total for 2005-06 therefore includes this expenditure.
The figure provided by the Highways Agency for 2005-06 also includes publications purchased for specific road projects. The data used to complete the answer rely upon correct coding of expenditure by finance staff.