§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the total cost in each of the past five years of470W visits by journalists to service units abroad funded by (a) the armed services and (b) his Ministry. [11622]
§ Mr. SoamesThis information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
In the majority of cases, journalists travelling abroad to visit service units/naval ships are expected to fund their costs.
However, financial assistance is given, principally to journalists from provincial or regional media who could not otherwise afford to travel and where coverage is considered to be in the interest of the armed service.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what journalists, from which(a) newspapers and (b) other media organisations, were guests of (i) his Department and (ii) the armed services on visits to service units abroad in each of the past three years. [11623]
§ Mr. SoamesThis information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.