Departments: Publications

Mr. Peter Ainsworth
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many copies his Department printed of (a) reports and (b) consultation documents in the latest financial year for which figures are available.

Barry Gardiner
[holding answer 18 June 2007]: The Government have a duty to explain their policies, decisions and actions; to inform the public about their rights and liabilities; and to provide the public with advice and warnings. DEFRA publishes regular reports and consultations in accordance with these principles. The number of copies printed of such publications is not held centrally and could be collated only at disproportionate cost. Print procurement policy is to produce the lowest quantity of publications to meet the specific needs of each case, thereby minimising waste. Most reports are less than 1,000 copies. In the case of consultations, most are handled online and stakeholders may download a copy for local printing. Copies will be supplied to order—printed digitally—on a limited basis, if requested, as will large print and Braille versions.