HC Deb 29 April 1971 vol 816 cc217-8W
Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will initiate an independent inquiry into the nature and extent of industrial espionage.

Mr. Ridley

No. The Committee on Privacy, set up by the Government in 1970, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Kenneth Younger, includes within its terms of reference consideration of the need for further protection of commercial and industrial interests against intrusions into their privacy. The Committee is glad to receive evidence on industrial espionage from any source.