§ 45. Sir A. Hurdasked the Prime Minister if he has inquired into the circumstances in which documents relating to Harwell Atomic Energy Research Establishment, including one marked Confidential," were left in the drawers of furniture sold as Government surplus and discovered last week by the purchaser, Mr. Boxshall, of Pound Street, Newbury; and if he will make a statement on the security measures taken to ensure that all such papers no longer required are destroyed under proper supervision.
§ The Paymaster-General (Mr. Reginald Maudling)I have been asked to reply.
Comprehensive regulations are in force throughout the Atomic Energy Authority for the control of classified documents, and for their destruction under proper supervision as necessary. In the incident referred to by my hon. Friend the documents were all unclassified. One was still marked "Confidential", though it was in fact no longer in that category. The Authority is reviewing its procedures to prevent the recurrence of incidents of this kind.
§ Sir A. HurdMay we take it that any document which relates to secret establishments such as this one will be taken good care of and destroyed immediately there is no further use for it? Otherwise, are we to expect the Authority to set up as a kind of hidden treasure department to which people will pay high prices for its disused furniture in the hope of finding something in the drawers?
§ Mr. MaudlingThough that might be tempting, I am sure the Authority will not do so.
§ Mr. GaitskellDoes the reply mean that it does not matter at all who saw the documents in question since the right hon. Gentleman said they were not classified? Does it mean that they were in no way secret?
§ Mr. MaudlingIt means precisely that.