Armed Forces: Mass Media

Dr. Julian Lewis
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who the duty Minister was on the day the decision was taken to allow the service personnel released by Iran to sell their stories to the media.

Des Browne
As the Secretary of State, decisions on certain issues are referred to me rather than the duty Minister. The sale of stories to the media by the service personnel released by Iran was one such issue. Between 5-7 April, the duty Minister for other issues was my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces. On 8 and 9 April, the duty Minister was my noble Friend the Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support.