How much does a blog cost? Those of you who write your own might be a little surprised to hear this morning that It's £40,000!
That is the cost of creating and maintaining the posts written by Britain's first ministerial blogger, David Miliband.
According to a parliamentary answer given to his Liberal Democrat shadow, Chris Huhne, Mr Miliband's musings - or "hot air" as Mr Huhne calls them - take up to 40% of the working day for two grade-seven civil servants, which works out at a cost of a staggering £1 a word.
Another example, albeit in micro, of the inability of this government to keep costs in check when it comes to all things IT-related.
It's hardly the £12bn National Audit Office report this morning that the troubled NHS computer system will cost us, I admit, but still.
Mr Miliband, we are told, writes his own posts - even though many read more like departmental press releases.
Today it is about the benefits of the environmental ratings reports that all house-sellers must undertake next year.
According to the Independent, which broke the story today, the department does not recognise Mr Huhne's calculations and says now it is up and running it will only a take small percentage of one civil servant's time.
The idea was to "bridge the gap between politicians and the public" although the reaction has not been particularly overwhelming.
In part, this is because Mr Miliband, a former head of the Downing Street policy unit before his election in 2001, is the ultimate wonk's wonk.
Very clever and driven, he is brimming full of policy ideas. What you won't get from his postings is any gossip, indiscreet comments or indeed much personality at all.
No Chips Channon or Alan Clark he. But then no ministerial blog could be, particularly not with civil servants overseeing it.
Even if his blogging is not particularly entertaining, he is trailblazing and soon every minister should be expected to blog and so for that at least he should be congratulated.
