§ Mr. Robert Atkinsasked the Prime Minister whether, further to her reply of 30 November, Official Report, c. 114, to the hon. Member for Preston, North, she has decided to refer the case of Miss Rhona Ritchie to the Security Commission.
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§ The Prime MinisterAfter consulting the chairman of the Security Commission and the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition, I have decided to refer this case to the Security Commission. The terms of reference will be
To investigate the circumstances in which breaches of security have, or may have, occurred arising out of the case of Rhona Jane Ritchie, who was convicted on 29 November 1982 of an offence under Section 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911; and to advise in the light of that investigation whether any change in security arrangements is necessary or desirable".It will be for the commission to decide whether the issues raised in this case overlap with its current investigation into the case of Geoffrey Arthur Prime and whether to report on the two together or separately. Its findings will be laid before the House to the fullest extent compatible with national security.