HC Deb 23 February 1943 vol 387 cc26-7
41. Mr. Thorne

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Arthur T. Williams, a Government employee, convicted at the Old Bailey on 16th February of contravening the Officials Secrets Act; how it was that the man was allowed to take out of the Government offices secret papers which he handed over to a Mr. Morris, who was in collusion with him; and what he intends doing about the matter?

Mr. Peake

The trial of this case took place in camera by direction of the learned Judge, and a statement giving all the information that could properly be disclosed without detriment to the interests of national security has since been issued to the Press. I cannot add anything to that statement. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that steps have been taken to ensure so far as possible that leakages of the kind disclosed in this case shall not occur again.

Mr. Thorne

How it is that this man was allowed to take these documents away from the office?

Mr. Peake

I really cannot add anything to the statement which was issued after consultation with the learned Judge who tried the case It is a very full statement. The man had been employed in the office concerned for a very long period, and, of course, the expeditious despatch of any public business depends upon having confidence in someone.

Mr. Maxton

Was it by the direction of the learned Judge that there was delay of over a week between the proceedings and the statement in the Press?

Mr. Peake

No, Sir. The delay, which was rather more than the hon. Member indicates, was due in the first place to the time that has to be allowed to elapse during which notice of appeal can be given, and in the second place there had to be consultations between the authorities and the learned Judge as to the actual text of the statement to be issued.

Mr. Maxton

Is it now judicial procedure that a case can be heard in camera and sentence promulgated and complete secrecy observed about it?

Mr. Peake

I quite agree that trial in camera is always bound to be unsatisfactory, but I think the hon. Member can take it that His Majesty's Judges, who have to be satisfied before a trial in camera takes place, do not lean in the direction of protecting either His Majesty's Ministers or the officials of public Departments.

Mr. Maxton

I am not questioning trials in camera, but is it now permissible to have complete secrecy about the result of a trial, and the fact that a trial has taken place, for a matter of weeks?

Mr. Peake

It is, of course, possible, but in this case the learned Judge, quite properly, before passing sentence in camera, insisted upon there being a full statement made subsequently for publication.

Mr. A. Edwards

Can people be convicted and sent to prison——

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

That is a general question, not arising out of one specific case.

Mr. W. Brown

Can we have an assurance that there are no cases where trial has take place in camera where the decision has not ultimately been released to the Press?