§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons questions were not allowed at the press conference at the Government's Royal Navy and British Army equipment exhibition in September. [13672]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Royal Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition (RNBAEE) was opened formally by my noble Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement on 1 September. In light of the tragic death of Diana Princess of Wales the previous day, my noble Friend decided to make only a brief opening statement.
114WAt the opening of the press day on 31 August, the Head of Defence Export Services gave a short presentation on the work of his organisation and outlined the key themes of the exhibition. This was an address of welcome and was not planned as a press conference. In the event, in view of the death of the Princess only a few hours earlier, he also severely limited his opening remarks.