§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many time the Defence, Press and Broadcasting Committee has met in each of the last 10 years; what are the latest set of guidelines which it has issued; and whether he will place these guidelines in the Library.
§ Mr. PymThe Defence, Press and Broadcasting Committee has met on the following number of occasions in each of the last 10 years:
No. of Meetings 1971 1 1972 0 1973 1 1974 2 1975 1 1976 2 1977 1 1978 2 1979 1 1980 1 The Defence, Press and Broadcasting Committee is composed of representatives of press and broadcasting organisations, who form the majority of the 54W committee, and officials from Government Departments concerned with defence and national security. Existing D Notices were brought up to date and consolidated and issued to the press, the broadcasting authorities and publishers in August 1971; and none has been issued since then. In the main, they cover broad subjects rather than individual items so that the question of frequent additions or changes does not arise. In agreement with the press and broadcasting members of the committee guidance on the interpretation of individual existing notices clarifying points which have arisen has been issued on a number of occasions in the intervening period. D Notices and such guidance are, however, confidential and it would not, therefore, be appropriate for them to be placed in the Library.