§ Mr. Russell Kerrasked the Secretary of State for Defence why he authorised the publication of the British Defence Equipment Catalogue by a privately-owned publishing firm; whether the 295W official letter reference MD/HDS/11/13 over the name of Major-General Hall of the Office of Defence Sales was drafted by that officer; what steps he has taken to ensure that details of classified defence equipment are not supplied to the publishers concerned without vetting by his Department; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HealeyThe object of the British Defence Equipment Catalogue will be to assist in promoting the export of defence equipment by making available at no cost to public funds a catalogue of unclassified items of equipment which British firms have available for sale. All entries in this catalogue will be subject to approval by my Department from the security aspect. Any sales will be subject to approval by the Government.
All official letters from the Ministry of Defence have the authority of the Department.