HC Deb 03 November 1980 vol 991 cc957-8
28. Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Paymaster General if he is satisfied with the procedures adopted by the Government information service in dealing with the unauthorised disclosure of official documents.

Mr. Maude

Investigation of cases of disclosure of information is not a matter for the Government information service. It is normally the responsibility, in the first instance, of the Minister in charge of the Department in which the leak occurs.

Mr. Taylor

Will my right hon. Friend say whether the first leaked document, which dealt with the Government's Common Market propaganda campaign, has been reviewed in the light of the Conservative Conference decision, by a 2 to 1 majority, that the Government should concentrate on the facts and not just on the alleged advantages? In this connection, will he learn from the sad experience of the Labour Party and do all in his power to avoid a damaging confrontation between the conference and the parliamentary leadership?

Mr. Maude

I have said already that the purpose of the Government information service in respect of Europe is to make clear to the British people the economic effects. I am satisfied that if the Labour Party wishes to have a confrontation at the next election on the subject of withdrawal from Europe, the good sense of the British people will defeat it even more handsomely than would otherwise be the case.

Mr. Heffer

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain the distinction between fact and fiction in relation to the sale of council houses? Is it not clear that in relation to council housing the Government have been using the Government propaganda machine for party purposes? Is it not time that that was stopped? If the Tory party wishes to propagate its ideas it should do so, but not by using Government machinery.

Mr. Maude

No, Sir. I regard that as a most extraordinary idea. What the Department of the Environment's publicity campaign has been doing is simply to inform the British people—

Mr. Heffer

No, it has not. It has gone beyond that.

Mr. Maude

—not of Conservative propaganda, but of the contents of an Act of Parliament that the House has passed.