76. Sir N. Stewart Sandemanasked the Home Secretary how many instances there have been during the last six months of secret Government documents having been stolen or lost; and what instructions he has issued to all Departments to prevent the recurrence of this?
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Euan Wallace)Three secret Government documents have been stolen or lost during the last six months, of which one was of very limited application and interest. In addition two copies of constructional plans relating to a new munition factory, of which one has since been recovered, were lost or stolen from a contractor's office. There are standing instructions in all Departments which stress the importance of ensuring that every precaution is taken to prevent the possibility of secret documents falling into unauthorised hands. In view, however, of the regrettable incidents to which I have referred, all Departments are being asked to draw the special attention of persons under their control to the need for extra care in this matter.
§ Captain WallaceYes, Sir, disciplinary action is always taken by the Department concerned.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherCan the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say 2458 whether any Regulations exist, whereby officials or officers are forbidden to take confidential documents away from the offices where they are employed; and, if so, have those Regulations been broken in the cases which he has enumerated?
§ Captain WallaceThat is a question which should be addressed to the Department concerned in any particular case which the hon. and gallant Member has in mind.