§ Q60. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Prime Minister whether she will give as much detailed information as possible on the dates when persons on her staff met anyone connected with the media prior to the Budget speech on Tuesday 15 March to give suggestions, briefings or information of any sort concerning the contents of the Budget; and whether, in future, she will arrange for similar meetings to be held in the Palace of Westminster extended in attendance to include Members of Parliament.
§ Mr. WhitelawI have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend's press officers meet representatives of the media regularly. They do not disclose the contents of the Budget in advance. My right hon. Friend has no plans for extending press briefings to include Members of Parliament.