§ 41. Mr. Donnellyasked the Secretary of State for Air what arrangements he makes to examine the scripts of proposed speeches by senior officers of the Royal Air Force.
Mr. WardUnder Queen's Regulations, a serving officer must seek permission, normally from the Air Ministry, before making a public speech on Air Force, naval or military subjects, and submit a script of what he proposes to say.
§ Mr. DonnellyCan the Minister say what are the criteria by which the scripts are passed by him, and under what circumstances are they referred to the Minister of Defence?
Mr. WardThe organisation within my Department is normally that broadcasting material is cleared through the Chief Information Officer, and that scripts of speeches by very senior officers come to me. Under the most recent directive of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence, if speeches have a bearing on major defence policy, I shall send them on to him.