§ Mr. Heathasked the Prime Minister whether the Security Commission has yet reported on the case of Mr. Bland; and 160W when the Commission's report will be published.
§ The Prime MinisterIt was announced on 7th January that I had asked the Security Commission to investigate and report upon the circumstances in which Mr. C. E. Bland had been charged with an offence under the Official Secrets Act, and upon any related failure of departmental security arrangements or neglect of duty; and, in the light of the investigation, to advise whether any change in security arrangements was necessary or desirable.
On 9th January, the Security Commission reported to me that there had been no neglect of duty or failure in departmental security procedures. Copies of their Report, from which certain details have been omitted in the interest of national security, with the agreement of the Commission, are available in the Vote Office.
The Security Commission had no changes in procedures to recommend, but made observations about the control of documents. These are being examined.