§ Mr. Heathasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the procedure for references to the Security Commission.
§ The Prime MinisterAfter consultation with the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition, I have revised the procedure for deciding whether or not a case involving a prosecution under the Official Secrets Acts should be referred to the Security Commission. In future, when a breach of security has led to a prosecution, the Chairman of the Security Commission will receive a statement outlining the facts of the case and will be asked to give his opinion on whether an investigation by the Commission would be likely to serve a useful purpose. I will then consult the right hon. Gentleman, taking into account the views expressed by the Chairman of the Commission, before deciding whether or not to refer the case to the Commission.
In any other case of known or presumed breach of security I would decide in the light of the circumstances whether or not its significance warranted my consulting the Chairman of the Security Commission and the right hon. Gentleman on the question whether it should be referred to the Security Commission.