§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any changes in the practice of his Department since 3 May.
§ Mr. PymThe Government's policy is to disclose information where this can be done without jeopardising essential defence interests. The topics on which it is not the practice to provide information are as follows
Details of arms sales, operational matters, details of research and development, the numbers of foreign forces training in the United Kingdom and accident rates for individual military aircraft types.The policy regarding disclosure of equipment cost information, including details of procurement contracts, remains 323W as set out by the previous Administration. [Vol. 965, c. 778–9.]
There have been no changes in practice since 3 May.