§ 5. Squadron-Leader Sir Gifford Foxasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when a security check was last made 1146 prior to 10th December in Germany; now many officers were so employed; what steps have been taken since the recent loss of "top secret" files; and how the loss arose.
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. John Hynd)In Berlin and Hamburg, where regular daily checks are made, the last checks before 10th December were made on 9th December. Elsewhere checks are made at various intervals as considered necessary in the light of local conditions. Manpower is limited and the number of officers engaged on this work varies according to locality; in Berlin one or two officers in each Division or Group are normally so employed. I am not aware of the loss of any "top secret" files.
§ Sir G. FoxWill the Minister say how a report appeared in the Press that a "top secret" file was lost, and that it could not be found out what had happened to it?
§ Mr. HyndI am afraid I can give no reasons why the Press should report certain things in a certain way, but there have been no "top secret" files lost, to my knowledge.