§ Q2. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister what steps he is taking to improve and extend the means of communication between Her Majesty's Government and the Press.
§ The Prime MinisterThis matter is kept under review and if my hon. Friend 1713 has any suggestions to make I would be happy to consider them.
§ Mr. HamiltonDoes not my right hon. Friend agree with the general principle that the greater the amount of official disclosure, the less chance there is of unofficial leakage? Will he seek to take steps to reduce the amount of leakage, compared with what took place under the previous Conservative Administration, remembering that there was a good deal of concern in those days and that we do not want it to be repeated in the forthcoming years?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that, in general, I agree with the proposition that the more factual news put out the less the tendency for leakages. However, there is a limit to what can be said publicly when, considering the public interest, it is best served by not saying too much. I am afra d that even if there were very much fuller statements of news, there would still be leaks under any Government and a great deal of invention of facts that never were facts.
§ Mr. KershawIn the interests of better Press relations, would the Prime Minister instruct iimself and his Ministers not to make statements about grave issues, such as E.L.D.O., South Arabia and arms to Australia and the United States, which are virtually contradictory and are wholly inaccurate?
§ The Prime MinisterThey are not virtually contradictory and wholly inaccurate and, on all of those questions, we have made full statements to the House.
§ Mr. HeathCan the Prime Minister yet tell us the results of the inquiry which he himself instituted into the alleged leak about E.L.D.O.?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I am not in a position to do that. Certain lines have been followed up and I have had an interim report. As soon as I am in a position to do so, I will certainly inform the right hon. Gentleman.