§ 27 and 28 Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Home Secretary (1) whether, seeing that one of the conditions laid down in the appointment of Sir Basil Thomson to a position at Scotland Yard was that he should not use for his private gain, nor make public use of, any information he obtained in his official position, he will state whether this condition has been fulfilled since his retiral from office:
(2) whether, with regard to the article on Sir Roger Casement by Sir Basil Thomson, which appeared in the Press. he has any evidence that the statements contained therein were taken from official documents of a secret nature, or based upon secret information only obtainable while the writer held an official position at Scotland Yard; and, if so, what action if any, he contemplates to prevent a recurrence of any abuse of such knowledge?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSSo far as I am aware, no special conditions were attached to the appointment in this respect. The general rules that apply are embodied in the Official Secrets Acts and in the Statutes governing police pensions. As I have already indicated, I should not hesitate to act if I had evidence upon which action could properly be based
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not the case that in this article statements appeared which can only have been got from documents that are in the possession of the Criminal Investigation Department?
Captain ARTHUR EVANSIs it not the fact that politicians make use of information acquired while they are Ministers of State, and is it not fair that these officers, who have served their country faithfully and well, should be able to avail themselves similarly?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not want to be drawn into the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's supplementary question, but, with regard to the second part, the law distinctly is that civil servants must not use secret documents. That is quite clear. Perhaps I might say that I have written to the author of this particular article personally, pointing out to him that, though he may not have infringed the law, it is undesirable that this kind of thing should be done
§ Mr. MACLEANWhile I accept the statement of the Home Secretary, and thank him for his reply, I should like to have a reply to my supplementary question, namely, is it not the case that in this article certain information appeared that could only come from one who had access to C.I.D. documents?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt is very difficult indeed to say whether it comes from actual present access to documents
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not the case that, if he had information covered by the Official Secrets Act, and if he used it, it would contravene that Act, and the Home Secretary ought to take action?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe Home Secretary has to be convinced, or, at least, it is very desirable that he should be convinced, that any prosecution of this kind would result in a conviction, and I 2005 think it is not quite certain whether in this case matters have gone far enough for that.
§ Mr. MACLEANHave you seen the article?