Fleet Headquarters (Signals)

HC Deb 06 December 1984 vol 69 cc273-4W

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the normal practice at Fleet headquarters at Northwood for the recording and retention of signals sent from, and received by, flag officer submarines.

Mr. Stanley

Records of classified signals are kept by flag officer submarines in accordance with the normal rules for the security and handling of classified documents. Signals are normally destroyed after a month unless they are required, in which case they are usually placed on a registered file.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if any of the original signals sent between HMS Conqueror and Fleet headquarters at Northwood in April and May 1982 have been retained.

Mr. Stanley

Yes.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if any of the signals sent between HMS Conqueror and Fleet headquarters at Northwood in April and May 1982 were destroyed before November 1982.

Mr. Stanley

Yes.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if any copies of signals sent between HMS Conqueror and Fleet headquarters at Northwood in April and May 1982 are retained in any form other than the war diary of flag officer submarines.

Mr. Stanley

Yes.