§ Mr. Nelsonasked the Prime Minister whether she will make a statement on the case of Lance-Corporal Aldridge.
§ The Prime MinisterOn 18 January Lance-Corporal Aldridge pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 7 of the Official Secrets Act 1920, and was sentenced to four years' imprisonment. The charge was that on various days between 18 August and 14 September 1982 in the United Kingdom he did certain acts preparatory to communicating178W to another person, for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the State, documents calculated to be useful to an enemy.
In accordance with the procedure outlined to the House by my predecessor on 10 May 1965, after consulting the chairman of the Security Commission and the right hon. Gentleman, the Leader of the Opposition, I referred this case to the Security Commission on 23 December. The terms of reference were as follows:
To investigate the circumstances in which breaches of security have or may have, occurred arising out of the case of Lance-Corporal P. L. Aldridge who has been charged with an offence under Section 7 of the Official Secrets Act 1920; and to advise in the light of the investigation whether any change in security arrangements is necessary or desirable.It will be for the Commission to decide whether to report separately on this case or together with their reports on the Prime and Ritchie cases which have already been referred to them.