HC Deb 27 July 1972 vol 841 cc2030-1
4. Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet received a report from the Director of Public Prosecutions on the report submitted to them about leaks of confidential information from Government Departments.

Mr. Carlisle

I am not yet in a position to add to the reply given to the hon. Member's Question on 29th June.—[Vol. 839, c. 388–9.]

Mr. Huckfield

As this is a serious and urgent matter, when does the hon. and learned Gentleman expect to receive some communication from the Director of Public Prosecutions? Is he aware that as the Younger Committee on Privacy was not allowed to investigate the public sector, this report will be the first review of the public sector that we shall have had?

Mr. Carlisle

The hon. Member must appreciate that the Director of Public Prosecutions is still considering whether criminal charges should be brought against anyone referred to in the report and I cannot comment on it in advance, or say when the DPP will have completed his consideration.

The hon. Gentleman knows from answers to previous Questions that he has asked that the survey of the use of Government computers to record personal details has been completed.

Mr. John Fraser

At Question time four weeks ago, I was given an assurance that circulars about the disclosure of confidential information to professional bodies would be disclosed. When will that be done?

Mr. Carlisle

I will have to look into that.

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