Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Monday, 13 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 November 2000. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Monday, 27 November 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many DA notices have been issued since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. - Includes figures and ref to full details in Library and on: www.dnotice.org.uk.

Answer: Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many DA notices have been issued since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [138747] Mr. Spellar: Defence Advisory Notices are not issued in response to particular events. There are standing DA Notices to which editors and others refer as necessary. In 1997 there were six such standing notices. In May 2000 these were reduced by the independent Defence, Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee to five, and the system was made less restrictive and the guidance more specific, to allow greater debate on national issues. Full details are in the House of Commons Library, and on www.dnotice.org.uk.

Secondary information