Northern Ireland Information Policy Co-ordinating Committee

The Northern Ireland Information Policy Co-ordinating Committee was formed in 1974 to establish a uniform approach to news and policy guidance among senior representatives and chief information officers of the Northern Ireland Office, the then Northern Ireland Executive, the Army, and the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

History

IPCC Meeting 27 August 1974, Stormont Castle

• Present: Mr M Cudlipp (NIO) Chairman | Brigadier HEML Garrett (HQNI) | Mr P Broderick (HQNI Information) | Deputy Chief Constable K Newman (RUC) | Mr W. McGookin (RUC Information) | Mr R Seaman (NIO Information, London) | Mr D Gilliland (NIO Information, Belfast) | Mr R. Ramsay (Central Secretariat) | Mr T Roberts (Central Secretariat Information) | Mr W. Adler (NIO) | Mr D. Revolta (NIO).

The meeting concluded that it would concern itself with information policy in a strategic context, and would promote and co-ordinate a positive public relations policy. Meetings would not normally be minuted. Mr Broderick was tasked to produce a paper on 'the Army view of a positive Public Relations Policy for the Province' ahead of the next meeting.

Army Information Policy Paper, 6 September 1974

On 6 September 1974, Broderick circulated a paper entitled 'Information Policy: Its use in Northern Ireland. Broderick also circulated an annexe entitled 'The Undermining of the IRA's will to fight'.

IPCC Meeting 11 September 1974, Stormont Castle

• Present: Mr M Cudlipp NIO Chairman | Brigadier HEML Garrett HQNI | Mr P Broderick HQNI Information | Mr J N Allan NIO | Mr D Gilliland NIO Information Belfast | Mr B M Webster NIO | Mr F Corbett Central Secretariat Information | Mr R Ramsay Central Secretariat | Mr S Andrews NIO Information London | Mr D Revolta NIO (Secretariat)

This meeting decided against appointing a special coordinator of information on public opinion. It was agreed that 'Army IP paper (IRA Annex)' would be considered by a subcommittee of information officers, who would report on its feasibility. As some numbered points are missing from the report of the meeting in National Archives file CJ 4/887 it is possible other conclusions have been redacted.

A letter from BN Webster to David Gilliland suggests that the meeting also concluded that a subcommittee of Gilliland, Webster, Broderick and McGookin should examine Broderick's paper as a whole in order to devise proposals to put to ministers.

External resources

• National archives CJ 4/887. Information Policy Co-ordinating Committee. Chief Press Officer's file. Setting-up. Working papers. Future policy. 1974 Aug 13 - 1975 May 23.
• National Archives FCO 26/1570 Northern Ireland: Information Policy Co-ordinating Committee; papers and correspondence. 1974 Jan 01 - 1974 Dec 31.