HC Deb 01 August 1978 vol 955 cc230-1W
Miss Richardson

asked the Attorney-General if he will list those prosecutions under the Official Secrets Act since appendix II of the Franks Report was drawn up, in each case providing at least as much detail as that contained in the appendix.

The Attorney-General

The details of proceedings, which have been commenced under sections 1 and 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911, since 1st January 1972, set out in the manner of appendix II to the Franks report, are:

Prosecutions under Section 2
1973 A member of the political wing of a terrorist organisation was found in possession of a sketch plan of an Army camp, which had been copied by an unknown person from a plan freely available. The proceedings were withdrawn at the magistrates' court.
1975 Two people were found in possession of part of a "restricted" military document with a wide circulation. The document had been obtained from an unknown person at a protest

meeting. The proceedings were withdrawn at the magistrates' court.
1975 A Post Office engineer used confidential Post Office information to assist a private detective to tap a private telephone line. Convicted at the Crown court and fined.
1978 There are two cases currently awaiting trial. In one case the accused has also been charged with offences under section 1.

Prosecutions under Section 1 There have been six completed prosecutions under section 1 since 1st January 1972. In two of these cases the defendants were convicted for passing information to a foreign Power. In one case the defendant was convicted of conspiracy to commit a breach of section 1 by obtaining information on behalf of a foreign power and was also convicted of conspiracy to incite another to contravene section 1. In one case the defendant was convicted of attempting to communicate information to a foreign power and was also convicted of an offence against section 7. In all these four cases sentences of imprisonment were imposed, ranging from 21 years to three years. In one case the defendant was acquitted of an offence against section 1 but was convicted of an offence against section 7 and was sentenced to two and a half years' imprisonment. In one case no evidence was offered at the magistrates' court and the defendant was discharged. There is one prosecution currently awaiting trial.