§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the President of the Council what the Government's policy is on the release of the text of ministerial statements to Government backbenchers before the statement has been made, with particular reference to the oral statement on Defence procurement on 16 May 2000,Official Report, columns 149–51. [122932]
§ Mrs. BeckettMinisterial statements are embargoed until the Minister has completed the statement. I have been advised that the Ministry of Defence did not release copies of the statement to Government backbenchers until my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State concluded his statement.