HL Deb 03 March 2000 vol 610 cc117-8WA
Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many publications were granted press accreditation during the Prime Minister's visit to the West Country in February. [HL1068]

What rules govern the granting of press accreditation by the Prime Minister's office to journalists who wish to report on Prime Ministerial tours. [HL1069]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

Accredition is given to all bona fide journalists, and all media organisations who requested accreditation were granted it.

Because of the nature of the visit, and the inaccessibility of the various locations, some of the Prime Minister's meetings were pooled media access only, others were private.

Lord Patten

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, during the Prime Minister's recent two-day visit to the West Country, the magazine Country Life was denied press accreditation, not allowed on the press bus, and refused an itinerary; and, if so, why. [HL1065]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

All media organisations who requested accreditation were granted it. Press passes were formally distributed during the visit itself. In order to gain access to country lanes, the press bus was smaller than would normally be expected. Places were extremely restricted and were reserved for Lobby journalists, and thereafter on a first-come, first-served basis. For security reasons, details of the Prime Minister's itinerary are never given out in advance.