Thursday 3 July 2008

Mr Mark Hoban (Fareham):  

To ask the Leader of the House, how much was spent by her Office on subscriptions for magazines, newspapers and other publications in each of the last 24 months.

Harriet Harman:

Following a Machinery of Government change, information prior to 2006-07 is only available at disproportionate cost.

My Office spent £14,849.18 on subscriptions and publications including newspapers in 2006-07. However, the number of newspapers and subscriptions are kept under constant review to ensure value for money including the non-delivery of newspapers and magazines during a recess or when a Minister is not in the office.

Details of any payments in 2007-08 will only be available when the Department's resource accounts are fully audited and laid before Parliament. This is expected to be before the 2008 summer recess.