§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
On whose authority the Strategic Communications Unit issued a memorandum recommending that Ministers should not participate in the Channel 4 programme "Tony's New Boy Network"; and [HL2376]
Whether the memorandum issued by the Strategic Communications Unit recommending that Ministers should not participate in the Channel 4 programme "Tony's New Boy Network" is consistent with their policy on freedom of information; and [HL2377]
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 28 March (WA 62–63) that "The Government welcome the opportunity to explain their policies and programmes to the public through the media", whether the memorandum issued by the 104WA Strategic Communications Unit recommending that Ministers should not participate in the Channel 4 programme "Tony's New Boy Network" is consistent with this approach. [HL2378]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonIt is a matter for Ministers to decide, taking account of advice from officials, whether or not to accept a particular invitation from the media to give an interview. It is also the case that successive Governments have co-ordinated their response to media bids made to several departments or Ministers. The e-mail referred to was issued on this basis and nothing in it has any bearing on the Government's policy towards freedom of information or my own stated view that such opportunities are welcome—even if from time to time I or my colleagues choose to turn them down.