Falkland Islands (Hansard, 13 March 1984)

§ 9. Mr. Dalyell
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of his Department's facility trips to the Falkland Islands (a) for the journalists working on national newspapers, (b) journalists working in local newspapers and (c) journalists working with radio and television.

§ Mr. Stanley
Complete information going back to the Falklands conflict is not available, but over the past six months the notional cost of (a) was about £5,000, (b) about £36,000 and (c) about £29,000.

§ Mr. Dalyell
What do the Government expect to get out of those trips?

§ Mr. Stanley
We believe, as apparently did our predecessors, who followed the same practice, that it is of value for members of the national and local media to be able to cover defence activities outside the United Kingdom.

§ Mr. Leigh
In view of the fact that the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) has asked 696 questions since 1982 concerning the Falklands campaign—[Interruption.]

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. The hon. Member must confine his question to defence matters.

§ Mr. Leigh
Does my hon. Friend believe that, instead of inviting journalists to the Falklands, it might be cheaper to invite them to the hon. Gentleman's castle in Scotland, which I believe is known as The Binns, so that he can bore journalists instead of the House?

§ Mr. Stanley
rose—

§ Mr. Dalyell
rose—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I know what the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) will say, but that will delay Question Time. I sympathise with the hon. Gentleman, but I think that we should hear the Minister's answer.

§ Mr. Stanley
It is probable that the cost of facilities provided for members of the media is somewhat less than the cost of answering the questions tabled by the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell).

§ Mr. Dalyell
My questions can be costed only in relation to policy, which is presumably not very expensive because Ministers often know the answers; otherwise the answers relate to facts that should be available in any case. The real costs—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I thought that the hon. Gentleman was seeking to defend himself against a charge. I cannot allow an extension of his question.