Written question asked by Crispin Blunt (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 January 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 23 January 1998. It was answered by Lord Reid of Cardowan (Labour) on Friday, 23 January 1998 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer 304 c408-9W, 19th January, if he will investigate the origin of the statement from an MoD source contained in the Press Association report of 1st December. - Inc ref to 301 c69W, 17 November 1997.

Answer: Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 January 1998, Official Report, columns 408-09, if he will investigate the origin of the statement from an MoD source contained in the Press Association report of 1 December. [24986] Dr. Reid: The author of the Press Association report in question contacted my Department's Press Office on 30 November, following up a story in that day's Sunday Telegraph. He was informed by my officials that the Army Prosecuting Authority, an independent body, had decided not to prosecute Major Joyce at that time. Responding to a question about the reference in The Sunday Telegraph to a letter from the Lord Chancellor, my Department's Press Office drew on the reply I gave the hon. Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Simpson) of 17 November 1997, Official Report, column 69.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 24986; 304 c707W;304 c701W
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Disclosure of information Armed forces Prosecutions Military law Ministry of Defence Press releases Press Association Joyce, Eric