§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he or any representative of his Department received an invitation to preview the"Weekend World"programme shown on Sunday 11 March; on what date such an invitation was received; whether any invitation to participate in the programme was extended to the Royal Ulster Constabulary or the Army; whether he or his Department were consulted by either the Royal Ulster Constabulary or the Army following any invitation to participate in the programme; and if so, what advice he or his Department offered the Royal Ulster Constabulary or the Army.
§ Mr. Mason, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 16 March 1979], gave the following information:
No member of my Department was invited to any preview of the"Weekend World"television programme. Invitations to the RUC or the Army to participate are matters for them to decide. In this case, my Department was informed that an invitation had been extended but no advice was required.