§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence why it is necessary for the United Kingdom embassy in Washington to employ American standards and procedures in vetting the security clearance of those United Kingdom nationals who have been invited to attend the strategic defence initiative office seminar on 25 March.
§ Mr. Norman LamontUnited Kingdom nationals who are to receive classified United States information, and United States nationals who are to receive United Kingdom classified information are cleared to do so under parallel and reciprocal security procedures agreed between the United States and United Kingdom Governments.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence why United Kingdom nationals must agree to sign an undertaking that they will refrain from discussing any information which they collect from the strategic defence initiative office seminar on 25 March.
§ Mr. Norman LamontIt is normal to make suitable arrangements for the protection of classified information. That said, I am not aware that any requirement for such a written undertaking exists for this symposium but if, in the event, it does, United States nationals present will also be required to comply.