§ Mr. Wellbelovedasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will specify the variety of methods adopted by his Department for keeping members of the press and media informed on defence matters.
§ Mr. PymThe methods adopted include press conferences by Ministers and senior officials, background briefings and the provision of information by the Defence press office in response to questions from the press and media. The particular method adopted on an individual occasion depends on the nature of the inquiry received and the subject under discussion.
§ Mr. Wellbelovedasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will define the interests of the Services and his Department as a whole in respect of the requirements of the press and media for information and briefing by his Department.
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§ Mr. PymThe principal interests of the Services and the MOD as a whole lie in providing full and accurate information on defence matters to the press and media on a day-to-day basis; and in arranging for members of the press and media to receive in-depth briefing and well-informed comment at the appropriate time on major defence issues of importance.