§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the practice of the security services subcontracting investigations to private agents has become widespread, and whether this practice was adopted in the case of Miss Hilda Murrell.
§ Lord GlenarthurI would refer the noble Lord to the reply given to his Question on 2nd May at cols. 468–9.
§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether having regard to their Answer of 2nd May (cols. 468–9) they are aware that Zeus Security Consultants were briefed by a client now known to the West Mercia Police to investigate Sizewell B public inquiry objectors, who included Miss Hilda Murrell, and whether they will name the client.
§ Lord GlenarthurI understand from the Chief Constable of West Mercia that his officers have investigated the circumstances of inquiries undertaken by Zeus Security Consultants into the objectors at the Sizewell B inquiry. The police have established that these inquiries were totally unconnected with Miss Murrell and were concluded over a year before her death. The Chief Constable does not consider it appropriate to disclose the client's identity but I understand that it was not a Government department or agency.