§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to ensure that members of boards of visitors of penal establishments are not inhibited by the Official Secrets Act from taking part in public discussion about their work.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesA letter is being sent to the chairmen of all boards of visitors drawing attention to the freedom individual members have to discuss prison matters, and listing the limited circumstances in which the Official Secrets Acts restrict what they may disclose—principally matters bearing on the security of a prison; information supplied on a basis of strict confidence; and personal details relating to inmates or staff. In addition, in view of the misunderstandings which it can create, I am ending the practice of asking members of boards of visitors and local review committees to sign declarations that their attention has been drawn to the Official Secrets Acts. Instead, the letter of appointment sent to new members of boards and committees will include an explanation of the position, in the same terms as the letter now being sent to the chairmen.