§ Lord Shore of Stepneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is the practice of Ministers to release to the media the text of their speeches and statements to be made in Parliament before they are actually delivered; if so, when this practice began; and whether, in the light of experience, Ministers consider it preferable to continue or discontinue this practice. [HL3961]
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Jay of Paddington)The GICSHandbook makes it clear that if a Minister is to make a statement in Parliament, it is helpful to provide the Press Gallery with copies of the text on the understanding that they undertake not to use the statement until it has been checked against delivery. This has been the practice of successive Administrations. There are no plans to change existing practice. Copies of The GICS Handbook are in the Library of the House and on the GICS website www.gics.gov.uk/handbook.