HC Deb 03 July 1950 vol 477 cc5-6
7. Mr. Harold Macmillan

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has now completed his discussions with the Press regarding the release of technical information concerning new types of military aircraft; and what changes in procedure will be made.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

There are standing arrangements, agreed with the Press, which govern the publication of technical information about new types of military aircraft at various stages of their development and production. Last year, the publication of more information about aircraft which were nearing the end of maker's trials was permitted, but care was taken to ensure that no information of operational value should be disclosed. When the first articles were published under these revised arrangements, it was felt that they enabled rather more to be disclosed than was intended, although I am satisfied that nothing of operational value was then disclosed. A review of the arrangements was, therefore, immediately undertaken, and a fresh agreement has now been reached with the Press, limiting the amount of information which can be published at this stage of production to features which are externally obvious.

Mr. Macmillan

Would the Minister define what he means by "operational value"? Does he regard information on technical details as having an operational value? It certainly saves a great deal of

research than would otherwise be necessary.

Mr. Strauss

I suppose some technical details would have an operational value which would be interesting to a potential enemy, but I understand that the Royal Air Force are satisfied, as we are, that no information of any importance was disclosed, even on this occasion.

Mr. Macmillan

Arising out of that further reply, for which I am grateful, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will take into account the importance of external details which can only be useful if seen at close range? Does his answer imply that no further information will be given about wing sections, angles, sweep back, and the rest, which would only be valuable if seen at close range?

Mr. Strauss

We are really going back to the old procedure which was agreed by the Royal Air Force and ourselves as covering the necessities of the case. I do not think the right hon. Gentleman need worry that we are disclosing any information which might be of importance to anyone else.

Air-Commodore Harvey

When the right hon. Gentleman says "the old procedure," does he mean the prohibition of detailed drawings, from which anyone can deduce the range and many other operational details of aircraft? Also, what is the point of prohibiting spectators from inspecting aircraft closely if they can read all about them in a technical paper?

Mr. Strauss

The regulations which were relaxed have now been revised and brought back to what they were before. This has been done by agreement with the Press. No one need fear that on the occasion which called for comment, anything was disclosed which should not have been disclosed, or that it will be disclosed in future.