§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will set out the established procedures for announcing the appointment of the Poet Laureate; and if he will make a statement; [85446]
(2) what procedures he has put in place to establish who informed The Times newspaper of the identity of the next Poet Laureate. [85447]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 25 May 1999]: Downing Street had planned to announce the name of the new Poet Laureate today, Wednesday 26 May. In view of the story appearing in The Times on Wednesday 19 May 194W this announcement was brought forward by a week. In accordance with normal procedures, with the agreement of Buckingham Palace, Downing Street announces this appointment by way of a Press Notice. The Times has made it clear that the leak did not come from Downing Street.