§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence where courses have been held on psychological warfare and psychological operations in which his Department was involved in each year from 1972 to the current date in the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
§ Mr. Freeman[holding answer 26 April 1988]: Courses were held, until their closure, at the joint warfare establishment at Old Sarum, Salisbury (1972–78), and at the joint warfare wing of the National Defence College at Latimer (1978–82). Since 1982 responsibility for the courses has transferred to MOD central staff. With regard to courses in the United States of America, I have nothing to add to the answer I gave on 7 March 1988 at column 59.
§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what basis civil servants or Army personnel have been selected to attend psychological warfare and psychological operations courses from 1972 to the current date.
§ Mr. Freeman[holding answer 26 April 1988]: Information for the period 1972–73 is no longer available. From 1973 to the present day eligibility for attendance has extended to any officer of the rank of lieutenant-commander or equivalent and above. For those MOD posts which may require a further understanding of psychological operations techniques attendance is mandatory before appointment is taken up.
§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in theOfficial Report the syllabus of courses in psychological warfare and psychological operations in which his Department was involved (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in the United States of America, from 1972 to the current date.
§ Mr. Freeman[holding answer 26 April 1988]: No.
§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the officers commanding the information policy unit, information liaison unit and the information planning unit in Northern Ireland, underwent training in psychological operations or psychological warfare in the United States of America from 1971 to the current date.
§ Mr. Freeman[holding answer 26 April 1988]: I have nothing further to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 7 March 1988 at column 59.
§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many employees of the BBC from 1971 to current date attended courses or seminars at his Department's establishments relating to psychological operations or psychological warfare activities.
§ Mr. Freeman[holding answer 26 April 1988]: The present courses are open only to students from Ministry of Defence and NATO military and civilian staffs.