§ Mr. James Davidsonasked the Prime Minister on what criteria are Government decisions based requiring certain members of advisory committees, who are not themselves civil servants or Government employees, to sign a declaration under the Official Secrets Act in cases where the work of the committee in no way impinges upon Defence, Commonwealth or Foreign Affairs.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Official Secrets Acts bind anyone, whether a civil servant or not, who has access to official information. The purpose of the procedures referred to in the hon. Member's Question is to ensure that those concerned are aware of their obligations under these Acts.