§ Q11. Mr. Victor Yatesasked the Prime Minister what instructions have been given to Ministers regarding the writing of letters to newspapers on matters within their responsibility.
74W
§ Q13. Mr. Garrowasked the Prime Minister what is the present practice regarding Ministers sending letters to newspapers on matters within their responsibility.
§ The Prime MinisterSuccessive Administrations have adopted a rule precluding Ministers from the practice of journalism. But, as the then Leader of the House reminded hon. Members on 28th July, 1958, this rule does not debar Ministers from writing letters to the newspapers in order to supplement other means of informing the public of the work of their Departments.