§ Mr. Footasked the Prime Minister whether she will invite the Security Commission to investigate the case of Mr. J. B. Wagstaff under the procedure announced in the House on 26 March 1969.
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§ The Prime MinisterYes. In accordance with that procedure, after consulting the right hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan), the then Leader of the Opposition, and in the light of the advice of the chairman of the Security Commission, I asked the Security Commission on 23 June to investigate and report upon the circumstances in which John Barry Wagstaff, a former executive officer in the Ministry of Defence, 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 its investigation, to advise whether any change in security arrangements is necessary or desirable. With the agreement of the right hon. Gentleman, no announcement was made at that time because the matter was sub judice. On 28 August my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General instructed the Director of Public Prosecutions to terminate the criminal proceedings against, Mr. Wagstaff. The Security Commission is still investigating the matter and I shall make a further announcement to the House when I have its report.