What the cost to its Environment and Rural Development Department has been of (a) printing and production of and (b) postage for (i) consul…

(i) Consultation documents to farmersWe issue these to representative bodies with an interest, and not as a rule to farmers, although all the documents can be accessed by individuals through the Executive's website. We do not keep a record of the costs of these consultation documents since in the main they do not involve external printing and dissemination. The costs, mainly in photocopying and postage are met from the general running costs of the department.(ii) Guidance documents to farmersOn guidance documents, primarily subsidy scheme literature and claim forms, the costs are as follows: | Printing and Production | Postage | Total
1998-99 | £218,600 | £43,500 | £262,100
1999-2000 | £355,300 | £57,100 | £412,400
2000-01 | £344,900 | £45,600 | £390,500
2001-02 | £497,300 | £126,600 | £623,900
2002-03 | £380,100 | £117,200 | £497,300