HC Deb 01 August 1984 vol 65 cc304-5W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Attorney-General how many service men formerly serving in Cyprus face charges under the Official Secrets Act; what are the charges; when they are set down for trial; and in what court they will be heard.

The Attorney-General

Eight service men formally serving in Cyprus stand charged with offences contrary to the Official Secrets Act 1911 as detailed in the charges following. Committal proceedings will take place in Bow Street magistrates court on 22 October 1984. The court of trial is a matter to be specified by the committing court in accordance with section 7 of the Magistrates Court Act 1980. The date of any trial will be fixed by the Crown Court after committal.

  1. 1. GEOFFREY RAYMOND JONES, on a day between 1 November 1983 and 7 February 1984, within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court, for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the State, communicated to another person information which was calculated to be or might have been or was intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy; Contrary to section 1(1)(c) of the Official Secrets Act 1911
  2. 2. ADAM LIGHTOWLER, on a day between 1 November 1983 and 7 February 1984, within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court, for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the State, communicated to another person information which was calculated to be or might have been or was intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy; Contrary to section 1(1)(c) of the Official Secrets Act 1911
  3. 3. WAYNE CHRISTOPHER KRIEHN, on a day between 1 November 1983 and 7 February 1984, within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court, for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the State, communicated to another person information which was calculated to be or might have been or was intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy; Contrary to section 1(1)(c) of the Official Secrets Act 1911
  4. 4. CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL PAYNE, on a day between 1 November 1983 and 7 February 1984, within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court, for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the State, communicated to another person information which was calculated to be or might have been or was intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy; Contrary to section 1(1)(c) of the Official Secrets Act 1911
  5. 5. GWYNFOR REGINALD OWEN, on a day between 1 November 1983 and 7 February 1984, within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court, for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the State, communicated to another person information which was calculated to be or might have been or was intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy; Contrary to section 1(1)(c) of the Official Secrets Act 1911
  6. 6. MARTIN PAUL TUFFY, on a day between 9 January 1984 and 7 February 1984, within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court, for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the State, communicated to another person information which was calculated to be or might have been or was intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy; Contrary to section 1(1)(c) of the Official Secrets Act 1911
  7. 7. DAVID HARDMAN, on a day between 1 July 1982 and 305 24 August 1982, within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court, for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the State, communicated to another person information which was calculated to be or might have been or was intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy; Contrary to section 1(1)(c) of the Official Secrets Act 1911
  8. 8. ANTHONY ALEXANDER GLASS, on a day between 1 October 1982 and 31 December 1982, within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court, for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the State, communicated to another person information which was calculated to be or might have been or was intended to be directly or indirectly useful to an enemy; Contrary to section 1(1)(c) of the Official Secrets Act 1911

Mr. McNamara

asked the Attorney-General if he will reconsider the policy regarding prosecution under the Official Secrets Act, in the light of the acquittal of Aircraft man Paul Davies; and if he will make a statement.

The Attorney-General

I take the decision whether or not to prosecute under the Official Secrets Act 1911 on the basis of the criteria outlined in my answer to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 9 April 1984. The result of the case of Paul Davies provides no basis for changing that approach.