HC Deb 03 February 1977 vol 925 cc278-80W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements there are in his Department to monitor regional news programmes on television and local radio to keep him, and senior civil servants, informed of regional news and opinion.

Dr. Gilbert

Local radio and television is monitored by an outside organisation and transcripts are available if requested. In addition, Press officers in Service Commands and Districts throughout the country report on items of interest to the Department that are broadcast on regional television or radio.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many copies of each of the following newspapers are purchased each day by his Department in order to keep himself, and senior civil servants informed and how many copies of each paper purchased are northern editions: The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, Daily Express, and Daily Mirror, respectively.

40. Dr. Gilbert

The Ministry of Defence purchases the following numbers of the newspapers listed for the use of Ministers and senior officials in Headquarters:The Guardian, 76; Daily Telegraph, 87; Daily Mail, 39; Daily Express, 57; Daily Mirror,

None of the above is a northern edition, but Public Relations, Army Headquarters, North-West District, Preston, purchase one copy of each northern edition and would inform the Ministry of Defence of any items of significance.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many copies of each weekly and biweekly newspaper published within Greater Manchester are purchased by his Department to keep himself, and senior civil servants, informed of regional news and opinion.

Dr. Gilbert

One copy of each of theBury Times and the Stockport Advertiser is purchased by Public Relations Army Headquarters, North-West District, Preston, which would inform the Secretary of State and senior officials of items of importance.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many copies of each evening newspaper published in the North-West of England are purchased by his Department to keep himself, and senior civil servants, informed of regional news and opinion.

Dr. Gilbert

One copy of each of the following evening newspapers published in the North-West of England is purchased by Public Relations Army Headquarters, North-West District, Preston which would inform the Secretary of State and senior officials of items of importance: Burnley Evening Star, Lancashire Evening Post, Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Liverpool Echo, Manchester Evening News, West Lancashire Evening Gazette.