20. Mr. J. Enoch Powellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities were provided by the Army for the making of the British Broadcasting Corporation television programme, "Real Lives", transmitted on 12 June; whether he has obtained a transcript of the programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeeThe Ministry of Defence provided only limited facilities to the makers of the film, in allowing the former soldiers to talk to those currently serving in the Province and take part in a briefing and patrol. The producers made it clear that the programme would go ahead whether we were able to help or not, and the conclusion of the former soldiers that little appeared to have changed since their own day was entirely a personal opinion for which neither I nor my Department had any responsibility. Nor did the Ministry of Defence have any prior knowledge of, or control over, the date and time of the programme's transmission. It is disappointing that the producer of "Real Lives" did not show the considerable improvement in the security situation which has been achieved since the ex-soldiers who are featured in the programme were there in 1968–69. I have not obtained a transcript of the programme, but I have seen a recording.