§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he had with the BBC concerning the BBC's handling of the Iraq conflict; and if he will make a statement. [65645]
§ Mr. George Robertson[holding answer 14 January 1999]: The Government were concerned to ensure that the British public were provided with factual and balanced reporting of Operation Desert Fox. Journalists reporting from Baghdad were, and are, subject to considerable restrictions on access and information. It was particularly important, therefore, that live coverage of and commentary on Operation Desert Fox from Iraq should explain, and take account of, such restrictions. This was made clear to media representatives, including in the BBC, on a number of occasions.