§ Q16. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the practice by his Secretaries of State of issuing Command and other Government Papers to 379W the Press marked "confidential", forbidding approaches to anyone about their contents before publication, and specifically embargoing reporters from consulting informed sources when preparing their news stories, until the item is, in many cases, stale; and if he will prohibit this practice.
§ The Prime MinisterThis is a longstanding practice and, in accordance with Standing Orders, it also applies to certain House of Commons Papers such as Select Committee reports. Such prior release of information to be given to Members can only be made on a strictly confidential and limited basis.