§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Attorney-General what assessment he made, in deciding to initiate police inquiries into possible breaches of the Official Secrets Act in connection with a secret defence project, of the extent to which the transcripts of the proposed British Broadcasting Corporation programmes might contain classified information not published in the New Statesman article by Mr. Duncan Campbell.
The Solicitor-GeneralPolice inquiries are currently being conducted. It would therefore not be proper for me to comment on the nature of the evidence that the Attorney-General considered, save to say that he was satisfied upon that evidence that there were reasonable grounds for inviting the Director of Public Prosecutions to request a police investigation.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Attorney-General if he will prosecute the distributors in the United Kingdom of the Irish Independent newspaper for breaches of the Official Secrets Act in relation to material contained in articles in the issues dated 20 and 21 January, entitled "M15 in Ireland"; and if he will make a statement.
The Solicitor-GeneralIf the hon. Member produces evidence of a possible breach of the Official Secrets Act I will consider the matter.
§ Mrs. Clwydasked the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 2 February, if he will specify the precise steps he took and the precise grounds he used to satisfy himself that he should invite the Director of Public Prosecutions to request an investigation by the police into possible breaches of the Official Secrets Act in relation to project Zircon; and if he will make a statement.
The Solicitor-GeneralThe Attorney-General took into account evidence indicating that breaches of the Official Secrets Act may have occurred. It would not be proper for me to disclose what that evidence was.