HC Deb 09 July 1963 vol 680 c1045
Q6. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Prime Minister what was the nature of the representations made to him by Colin Jordan concerning the Vassall case; and whether any question of security was involved.

The Prime Minister

Mr. Colin Jordan wrote to me saying that he had acquired certain information from Vassall during his detention in Wormwood Scrubs Prison. Mr. Jordan has been interviewed and has disclosed all the information he wishes to offer.

Mr. Bellenger

In view of recent happenings, can the Prime Minister give the House an assurance that the interview which one of the security services undertook with this man Jordan did not disclose anything prejudicial to the interests of the State?

The Prime Minister

This interview has taken place. I am informed that a large number of the allegations to which Mr. Jordan referred were fully investigated at the time of the Radcliffe Inquiry, and, while I do not think that one can take allegations made to a fellow prisoner by a convicted spy as necessarily true, I have thought it right to see that any ones not already dealt with should be passed to Lord Denning.

Dr. Bray

Does the Prime Minister think it desirable that prisoners such as Vassall and Jordan should be able to communicate with each other while in prison?

The Prime Minister

I think that that question should be put down to the Home Secretary.