Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will estimate the annual cost to his Department of (a) stationery and (b) postage incurred when sending a ministerial reply to hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.

Every effort is made to ensure that departmental correspondence is dealt with in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Letters are sent on stationery printed in-house. If sending a ministerial reply to hon. Members at the House of Commons or House of Lords then no postage is incurred as mail is delivered twice a day from the Department, 1 Victoria Street on our van service.

During recess, letters are sent via first class mail – the cost of stationery and postage during the most recent summer recess period is estimated at around £200. Figures for earlier time periods are not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.