§ Mr. JohnTo ask the Prime Minister if she will, pursuant to the answer of 26 April,Official Report, column 97, to the hon. Member for Pontypridd on the criteria governing civil servant press briefings, investigate the circumstances in which Mrs. Elizabeth Attridge and Mr. Grant Meaking of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food came to hold a press briefing on 21 April dealing with an Opposition research document, in the light of the criteria for the political neutrality of civil servants; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterI am advised that no such press briefing has taken place. If, during the course of briefings given for declared reasons, journalists ask for comments on criticisms of the Departments' handling of a particular matter, factual answers will be given.