HC Deb 20 December 1954 vol 535 c2409
9. Mr. Wigg

asked the Attorney-General whether he will take proceedings under the Official Secrets Act against the Editor of the "Daily Mail" for publishing, on Monday, 13th December, 1954, particulars of places where atomic weapons are stored.

The Solicitor-General

I am having inquiries made.

Mr. Wigg

Would the hon. and learned Gentleman be good enough, when he has reached a decision, to let me know the results of his inquiry?

The Solicitor-General

Unless it involves some revelation of material which should not properly be revealed, the answer will be "Yes."

Mr. Shinwell

If it should disclose something which ought not to have been disclosed in a newspaper, will that not be made public?

The Solicitor-General

All I am saying, as the right hon. Gentleman will understand, is that my right hon. and learned Friend has a quasi-judicial duty to perform, and after inquiries are made he may have to decide whether it is right or not to give a fiat, and I cannot anticipate what it will be proper to reveal of the material placed before him.