§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many D Notices have been published with regard to the responsibilities of his Department in the last six months(a) relating to Northern Ireland and (b) relating to other matters. [124692]
§ Mr. SpellarNo DA Notices have been published specifically with regard to the responsibilities of the Ministry of Defence in the last six months. There are standing DA Notices which apply to all Departments, where matters of National Security are concerned, and these contain advice to editors and others which can be applied to any appropriate circumstances. From 1993 there were six such standing notices, until 24 May 2000 when, after revision of the Notices by the independent Defence, Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee, a new set of five standing DA Notices was promulgated. Details have been passed to the House of Commons Library, and can be found also on the internet at www.dnotice.org.uk.