§ Mr. Michael BrownTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made regarding the Government's response, Cmnd. 9499, to the proposal made in the study group chaired by Sir Hugh Beach, Cmnd. 9112, that an advisory service for the media be established to operate during a time of tension or war.
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§ Mr. RyderAfter consultations involving Government Departments, regional authorities and the national and regional media a report on the feasibility of a media advisory service (MAS) was produced last year. The Government have accepted the main conclusion that the basis for a MAS to operate during a time of tension or war should be established. Such a MAS has now been formed in the Central Office of Information under Mr. Peter Brazier, a COI group director. It is expected to cost around £150,000 a year.