HC Deb 28 January 1998 vol 305 cc244-5W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current security classification of the newsletter produced for the staff of(a) the Ships Support Agency, (b) the Ministry of Defence Police and (c) the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre; how often each newsletter is produced; and when each newsletter was first produced. [24508]

Mr. Spellar

This is a matter for the Chief Executives of the Agencies concerned. I have asked them to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from W. E. E. Boreham to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 28 January 1998: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the publication of a newsletter for Ministry of Defence Police (MDP), as this falls into my area of responsibility, as Chief Constable/Chief Executive of the Ministry of Defence Police Agency. My staff produce, every two months, an unclassified colour magazine, entitled Talk Through. The magazine was first produced in 1986.

Letter from Brigadier C. G. Holtom to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 28 January 1998: I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the publication of newsletters as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as the Chief Executive of the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre Agency. The DISC does not currently produce a newsletter. However, as part of the preparations for the move of a number of units to form the DISC at its new site at Chicksands, unclassified leaflets were produced containing information for personnel and their families moving into the area. Six issues were produced between July 1996 and February 1997 covering such topics as housing, schools, public transport and leisure facilities.

Letter from J. D. Coles to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 28 January 1998: I am reply to your Question to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence about the Ships Support Agency (SSA) newsletter as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the SSA. The current newsletter produced for SSA staff, titled 'Ships Telegraph', was first published in October 1995 following the formation of the Director General (Ships) organisation. This magazine has remained in circulation since the launch of the Ships Support Agency in December 1996 and continues to be published on a monthly basis. The security classification of 'Ships Telegraph' has always been, and remains, unclassified. I hope this is helpful.