HC Deb 16 May 1978 vol 950 cc103-4W
65. Mr. Neubert

asked the Prime Minister whether, pursuant to his statement that if he found the source of the leak regarding Service pay and related matters, he would instruct the Secretary of State for Defence to take appropriate action, Official Report, 27th April 1978, column 1637, he has now found the source and instructed the Secretary of State accordingly; and whether he will make a statement.

69. Mr. Blaker

asked the Prime Minister whether, pursuant to his statement that if he found the source of the leak regarding Service pay and related matters he would instruct the Secretary of State for Defence to take appropriate action, Official Report, 27th April, column 1637, he has now found the force and instructed the Secretary of State accordingly; and if he will make a statement.

73. Mr. Tebbit

asked the Prime Minister if, pursuant to his statement, Official Report, 27th April 1978, column 1637, that if he found the source of the leak regarding Service pay and related matters, he would instruct the Secretary of State for Defence to take appropriate action, he has now found the source and invited the Secretary of State to take appropriate action.

80. Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Prime Minister whether, pursuant to his statement that if he found the source of the leak regarding Service pay and related matters he would invite the Secretary of State for Defence to take appropriate action, Official Report, 27th April. column 1637, he has now found the source and invited the Secretary of State accordingly; and whether he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

My right hon Friend the Secretary of State for Defence is answering a Question on these matters today.

Mr. John Evans

asked the Prime Minister whether the inquiries in the Ministry of Defence about the sources of the allegation in The Times of 27th April, that he had refused to see the Chiefs of Staff, and the Press Association report of 18th April about the numbers of Service personnel leaving or wishing to leave the Services, have been completed.

Mr. Mulley

I have been asked to reply.

Yes. I have inquired into both these matters and my inquiries are completed.

As regards the allegation in The Times. the source has not been identified.

The details published in the Press Association report, which gave some selective information about departures from the Services, were given to the Press Association by Service sources with the authority of the Chiefs of Staff. I have told the Chiefs of Staff that they should have sought the authority of Ministers in this matter. The Chiefs of Staff have accepted this and accordingly I regard the matter as closed.