§ Q4. Mr. Goodhartasked the Prime Minister when he will publish the report of the inquiry into the leakage of secret information from Government Departments to the Press.
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot yet add to my reply of 14th July to a supplementary question by the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition.
§ Mr. GoodhartWill the Prime Minister now expand this inquiry to cover all channels and procedures for giving advance information and guidance to the Press, in view of the considerable damage that was done to the economy last week by conflicting and incorrect guidance given at the highest levels?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. The hon. Gentleman is quite wrong about this-[Interruption.] I have made it clear on a number of occasions that there are cases-and this has been a continuous problem, I would say, since the war-involving the leakage of secret information, but that there is appropriate machinery for dealing with this.
§ Mr. HeathAs it is now five weeks to the day since the Prime Minister told the House he had instituted an inquiry into the alleged leak about E.L.D.O., can he now tell us what the conclusions are?
§ The Prime MinisterAs I told the right hon. Gentleman-I think a week ago-an interim report has been received suggesting a line for further investigation. This is now being pursued, and I expect a report on it within the next day or two, 864 and, as I then said to the right hon. Gentleman, I will get in touch with him right away.