§ 41. Mr. Dubsasked the Attorney-General in how many cases since 1979 involving charges under the Official Secrets Acts he has personally taken charge of the prosecution.
§ The Attorney-GeneralSince taking office in 1979 I have personally conducted three prosecutions for offences under the Official Secrets Acts.
§ Mr. DubsDoes the Attorney-General recall a film shown recently on Channel 4 called "Spying for the Comrades"? Is he aware that a Mr. Brian Gentleman, featured in that film, has since admitted on oath that he passed secrets that he obtained through his job at the Department of Trade and Industry to an official at the Czech embassy? Is he aware that, in the absence of any decision to prosecute that individual, there is a great deal of suspicion that there has been a cover-up because of incompetence by MI5?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have not seen the programme, but I have read the exposé of the programme in The Sunday Times. I do not know of any occasion in which the person referred to gave evidence on oath. It is certainly not a cover-up.