§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Attorney-General whether he or any of his officials were consulted by representatives of the Metropolitan police before special branch officers applied, using the Official Secrets Act, for a search warrant for the house of Mr. Duncan Campbell on 11 February.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIt is no part of my function to advise the Metropolitan police as to the manner in which they conduct an investigation. Section 9 of the Official Secrets Act 1911 does not require that I consent to the making of an application for a search warrant. The safeguard for the citizen is in the independence of the courts which decide whether or not to grant warrants.