§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the precise terms of reference of the Information Research Department of his Department in 1975 and 1976 in relation to journalists and broadcasters writing and broadcasting in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. LuardThe terms of reference of Information Research Department in 1975–76 were
Responsibility for the compilation of information reports for Her Majesty's Missions abroad.Background papers were produced by the department for the use of our missions overseas, but copies were also sent to a number of interested people in the United Kingdom, including some journalists and broadcasters.
§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when, and for what reason, the operation of the Information Research Department of his Department was terminated.
§ Mr. LuardThe operation of Information Research Department was terminated on 30th April 1977, as a result of a reorganisation of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office information departments undertaken for both policy and economy reasons.