HC Deb 10 January 1918 vol 101 c418

No information as to any person or any business obtained under this Act shall without lawful authority be published or disclosed except for the purposes of legal proceedings under this Act, and if any person knowingly publishes or discloses any information in contravention of this provision he shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment with or without hard labour for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds or to both such imprisonment and fine.—[Sir G. Hewart.]

Brought up, and read the first time.

Sir C. HEWART

I beg to move. "That the Clause be read a second time." I do not think I need say anything in commendation of it.

Mr. HOLT

Is the penalty in this Clause the same as the penalty under the Official Secrets Act?

Sir G. HEWART

From memory, I cannot say.

Mr. HOLT

Could the hon. and learned Gentleman not make certain?

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause read a second time, and added to the Bill.