§ 77. Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Attorney-General how many members of the security services have been prosecuted for espionage (a) successfully and (b) unsuccessfully, in each of the past 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralIn the past 10 years two members of the security and intelligence services have been prosecuted—Prime in 1982 and Bettany in 1984. Both were convicted.
§ Mr. GreenwayIs this, or is this not, the unseen tip—the tip of an unseen iceberg—[Interruption.] Well, they sometimes turn over and the tip goes under. Does my hon. and learned Friend agree that any person guilty of betraying his country should be vigorously brought to book?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralI have no reason to think that it is the tip of an iceberg or that members of the security and intelligence services are anything other than loyal and dedicated public servants. However, my hon. Friend will recall that Bettany and Prime, who were brought to book and prosecuted, received total sentences of 23 and 35 years respectively.
§ Mr. WinnickNo foreign intelligence service with any sense would ever recruit the hon. Member for Ealing., North (Mr. Greenway) as a spy. Does the hon. and learned Gentleman agree that it would be helpful if the Attorney-General took seriously the allegations of subversion by some members of the security forces against an elected Government in the 1970s? Is it not essential that the truth be known, whether or not Wright lied?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralI have nothing to add to the statement made in the House by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.