HC Deb 27 June 1955 vol 543 cc1-2
1. Mr. Wigg

asked the Attorney-General whether he will take proceedings against Captain K. Bartlett, a director of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, who, in breach of the Official Secrets Act, on Sunday, 19th June, 1955, announced at the Le Bourget Air Display the speeds and ceilings of the Vulcan and Victor aircraft.

The Attorney-General (Sir Reginald Manningham-Buller)

No, Sir. I have had inquiries made into this matter and I cannot accept the statement in the Question that Captain Bartlett acted in breach of the Official Secrets Acts.

Mr. Wigg

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman satisfied that there has been at no stage any breach of security and that no secret information has been divulged?

The Attorney-General

I am afraid that I could not hear all of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. With regard to the first part of it, I have no evidence which leads me to suppose that there has been any breach of the Official Secrets Acts.

Mr. Shinwell

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman disclose to us whether this gentleman did at any time reveal the speeds of these aircraft?

The Attorney-General

This gentleman did make some statement about the speeds of these aircraft. I understand that he was then engaged in translating the comments made by a French commentator.

Mr. Wigg

As the right hon. and learned Gentleman has given the House some information which he did not give in reply to me, may I ask if he has inquired how the French commentator got the information which enabled Captain Bartlett to reveal to the world the speeds and ceilings of these aircraft?

The Attorney-General

No, Sir. That is hardly a matter for me.