§ Q3. Dame Irene Wardasked the Prime Minister whether he will take steps to ensure that the application of the Official Secrets Act is carried out in such a way that every person subject to it undergoes the same limitations with regard to the use, and subsequent publication, of secret and other classified material in the possession of Her Majesty's Government.
§ The Prime MinisterThe application of the Act is, in general, well understood by those who have control of, and access to, classified information; and I do not think that any special steps are required to ensure uniformity of treatment between individuals who seek to use such information for purposes of publication.
§ Dame Irene WardIs my right hon. Friend aware that the whole of the Official Secrets Act is in the most appalling mess? Will he explain how it is that Mr. Montgomery Hyde has an access to papers—presumably Foreign Office papers—how it is that Sir William Stephenson has been able to give all his 1154 experiences, and how Mr. Sefton Delmer has been able to write a book giving all sorts of experiences of his, while other people have their books refused? Why do some people feel that they must adhere to the Official Secrets Act and others that they need not do so? It is a most terrible muddle, and I think that everybody concerned would welcome a proper definition.
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend's question was cast in general terms, and I therefore replied in general terms. If she will give me particular instances I will certainly look at them.
§ Mr. WiggIf the Prime Minister is going to carry out an investigation, will he inquire how it becomes possible for Lord Avon to have access to Cabinet material in a way that historians are not able to do, with the result that a highly contentious and coloured account of contemporary events is presented to the public when nobody else has the opportunity of ascertaining the truth?
§ The Prime MinisterLord Avon has complied in every way with the regulations and the customs in clearing the passages that he wished to use.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanDoes the Prime Minister recall—since this question as originally asked raised the whole question of the Official Secrets Act—that in response to Questions from me the right hon. Gentleman promised at the conclusion of a recent case which went on appeal to the House of Lords that he would consult the Attorney-General of that date to see whether there should be an inquiry into the Official Secrets Act in view of the many doubts and misinterpretations that seemed to have arisen in connection with it? Now that the Attorney-General of that date is the Lord Chancellor, can the Prime Minister say when that inquiry he promised may take place?
§ The Prime MinisterI am glad that the hon. Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. S. Silverman) raised this matter with me. I am afraid that, with many other matters, there may have been an oversight, but I will deal with this matter and try to make some reply when I have had an opportunity to consider it further.