Li
PANORAMA PROGRAMME ON SIS, 22 NOVEMBER 1993:
LINE TO TAKE
PRESS BRIEF
The Government has no wish to comment on the programme which
was the responsibility of the BBC alone.
[If pressed] A media
interview given by former Ministers or officials on intelligence or security matters covered by the official
Secrets Act requires authorisation.
This was given in this
The Government
case for Lord Howe, Lady Park and Sir Percy Cradock, but the views expressed were each individual's own. will maintain its policy of not commenting on operational or staff matters connected with the security and intelligence
services.
2
Q. Did HMG preview the programme?
[If pressed]
No
A.
we were aware of the contents.
question of clearance is involved.
Q.
was the Secretary of the DA Notice Committee
involved?
A.
That is a question for the BBC or the DA Notice
Secretary.
[NOTE
-
For use if necessary.
We never comment on
questions of this sort in view of the
confidentiality of contacts between the media and
the Secretary of the DA Notice Committee.]
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