§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Prime Minister whether it was under her Administration that the long-standing practice that Ministers should not write articles for the press whilst holding ministerial office was discontinued; whether Ministers are permitted to receive payments for such articles and why; and whether she will ensure that such articles are made freely available to any newspaper editor who may request same so as to ensure equal treatment for all newspaper editors, their papers and their readers.
§ The Prime MinisterThe rule under this Administration remains that Ministers are precluded from the practice of journalism and from regular journalistic activities, but may contribute to a journal or newspaper for the purpose of supplementing other means of informing the public about the work of their Department. They do not accept payment for such writings.