§ Mr. GallowayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) who authorised the(a) recruitment and (b) use by (i) Special Branch and (ii) the security service of a paid agent codenamed Silver Fox in the National Union of Mineworkers during 1984–85; and if he will make a statement; [82593]
(2) who authorised (a) Special Branch and (b) the security service to place a field agent in the circle of Mr. David Nellist while he was an hon. Member; and if he will make a statement; [82592]
§ Mr. BlunkettOperational decisions at the time would have been for the relevant Chief Officer. It has been the longstanding policy of successive governments neither to confirm nor deny reports concerning Security Service operations.