HL Deb 06 February 1963 vol 246 cc591-2

3.1 p.m.

THE EARL OF ARRAN

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will state—

  1. (a) the number of persons convicted under the Official Secrets Act since 1951;
  2. (b) the number of those convicted who had been employed in Government service or in the armed forces; and
  3. (c) the total number of years imprisonment imposed under the Act since 1951.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (EARL JELLICOE)

My Lords, since 1951 17 persons have been convicted of offences against the Official Secrets Acts and 11 of conspiracy to commit such offences. Of these 28 persons, 7 were Crown servants at the time when the offences were committed, and 4 were convicted of offences relating to the unlawful disclosure of information acquired by them in the service of the Crown. Sentences of imprisonment amounting to 197½ years have been imposed during the period.

THE EARL OF ARRAN

My Lords, may I further ask Her Majesty's Government whether during this period any journalist was convicted under the Acts?

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, during this period no journalist has been convicted of an offence under the Official Secrets Acts.