§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence what newspapers are produced by his Department; what is their function; how many people they employ; to whom they are distributed; and what is the total cost to public funds per annum.
§ Mr. PymThe newspapers produced by my Department which are available to the general public are:
Navy News 'Periscope' (Chatham) Royal Dockyard newspapers. Devonport News 'Trident' (Portsmouth) 'Spotlight' (Rosyth) Soldier Magazine Soldier News RAF News Air Cadet News The primary purpose of these newspapers is in the interest of morale to publicise defence activities an devents to personnel in the Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence establishments, their families and interested members of the public. They also provide a very useful way of encouraging exchanges of views on the various issues involved.
55 staff are employed to produce and distribute these newspapers and the cost is estimated to be some £360,000 this year. All other current costs are covered by sales receipts and advertising revenue.