HC Deb 08 May 1998 vol 311 cc521-2W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current security classifications of the newsletters produced for the staff of(a) Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency, (b) Defence Animal Centre and (c) Defence Bills Agency; how often each newsletter is produced; and when each newsletter was first produced. [40666]

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 Chris Winsland to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 8 May 1998:

I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about newsletters produced for the staff of the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency (AFPAA) as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as the Agency's Chief Executive.I should explain that AFPAA formed as a Defence Agency on 1 April 1997; an initial AFPAA Newsletter was produced in October 1996 to outline the way ahead and our plans for launching the Agency. Newsletters were subsequently issued every 2 to 3 months and were generally timed to coincide with major developments in the Agency's procurement of a commercial partner.The AFPAA's public/private partnership with EDS (Defence) Ltd became effective on 1 January 98. It is intended to issue a combined AFPAA/EDS Newsletter every 3 months.I can confirm that the security classification of the Agency's Newsletter is unclassified.

Letter from 1. A. Kneale to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 8 May 1998:

I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about newsletters produced for staff at the Defence Animal Centre (DAC), as this matter falls within my area of responsibility, as Chief Executive of the DAC.I can confirm that the newsletter produced for staff at the DAC is unclassified, was first produced in April 1998 and will be produced on a quarterly basis.If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

Letter from lain Elrick to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 8 May 1998:

I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Defence Bills Agency's newsletter as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as the Agency Chief Executive.The newsletter is unclassified and is circulated only to DBA staff. It is produced in-house every two months and was first produced in December 1996.