§ Mr. REMERasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what is the cost of the Press Committee to the Air Ministry, with offices at Byron House, 85, Fleet Street; and what is the purpose of this committee?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI presume that the hon. Member refers to the Admiralty, War Office, Air Ministry and Press Committee which has been in existence for nearly 20 years, and which has for its object the co-operation of the Defence Departments with the Press in regulating 1889W the publication of information affecting the forces of the Crown, the disclosure of which might be prejudicial to national security. Its present activities are mainly confined to inviting the assistance of newspapers in preventing the publication of confidential information regarding the materiel of the three services. The total cost of the clerical assistance required is about £60 or £70 a year.