TNAG-2769-FCO40-3986-Hong-Kong-and-the-media-interviews--press-briefings-and-the--1994 — Page 150

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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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