§ 15. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Francesco Costantini, a former employee of the British Embassy at Rome, was responsible for serious leakages of confidential information over a long period; and what disciplinary action has been taken against the security officers responsible for supervising the security arrangements at that embassy during that period.
§ Mr. Ian HarveyYes, Sir. The facts of this case have been known since 1944, when an investigation into suspected leakages was held in Rome and Costantini' s activities were revealed.
The late Mr. Hector McNeil, then Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, gave the House an outline of the story in answer to a Question on 8th December, 1947.
The events took place nearly twenty years ago or more, and the senior officers serving in the Embassy at the time have long since retired from Her Majesty's service. So far as I am aware, no disciplinary action was taken but, as a result of the investigation into this and other cases, security organisation in the Foreign Service was completely reconstituted and our defences greatly strengthened. The most stringent precautions are now taken to prevent any repetition of such leakages.
§ Mr. DaviesI am well aware that this is now history, but is the hon. Gentleman aware that this gentleman has recently published a book concerning his activities, extracts from which have been widely syndicated in the world's Press? Would the hon. Gentleman accept the author's statement as being an accurate account of his activities in espionage, and does he not consider that it is very essential, in view of the harm that is being done to British prestige abroad, to make it quite clear that this could not occur again?
§ Mr. HarveyYes, Sir. The statements bear close resemblance to the facts, although there are, naturally, some journalistic additions. Nevertheless, I 21 hope that my Answer to the hon. Gentleman will, in fact, achieve the result for which he has asked.