Major Eric Joyce

HC Deb 19 January 1998 vol 304 cc405-6W

Mr. Blunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what press briefing his Department provided in respect of a letter to him from the Lord Chancellor concerning Major Eric Joyce. [23734]

Mr. George Robertson

None. Since correspondence between Ministers is confidential and not for publication, and is properly withheld under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, no press briefing material was either required or provided.

Mr. Blunt

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings Ministers held to discuss Major Eric Joyce's conduct; and what was the date of such meetings. [23733]

Mr. George Robertson

Defence Ministers have taken part in no meetings which discussed what disciplinary action, if any, should be taken against Major Joyce, or determined the course of any action in train. These are matters for the Army. The matter of Major Joyce's conduct has inevitably been the subject of discussion between Ministers, and between Ministers and officials, concerning the handling of the public and parliamentary business to which the case has given rise.