§ Q18. Mr. John Hallasked the Prime Minister what proceedings he proposes to take in regard to the forthcoming serialisation of a book entitled The Espionage Establishment which purports to disclose details of the organisation of the British Intelligence Service.
§ The Prime MinisterIt has always been accepted that it is detrimental to the efficiency of our security services, and therefore contrary to the national interest, to give publicity to the personalities and organisation of those services; and, although it has long been recognised that the British Press may decide to reproduce what has already been published abroad, 559W with attribution to source, they have always been asked—and I take this opportunity to re-emphasise this request—not to elaborate on such material without consulting the Secretary of the Services Press and Broadcasting Committee.