§ Mr. Mikardoasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what photocopies or other records have been made of Mr. Duncan Campbell's diary, address book, or other personal papers; to what use any such copies have been or are to be put; and whether copies of any of Mr. Campbell's diary, address book, or other personal papers have been passed to or made by bodies or individuals outside the Metropolitan police.
§ Mr. HurdThe Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that one copy of each document was retained by the police, pending a decision from the586W Director of Public Prosecutions, as part of the investigation into possible offences. This was done in order to facilitate the speedy return of the original documents to Mr. Campbell. The copies will either be returned to Mr. Campbell or destroyed, according to his wish. It has been necessary in the course of the investigation into possible offences under the Official Secrets Acts for some of the documents found in Mr. Campbell's possession to be shown to the Government Departments directly concerned.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what level in the Metropolitan police it was decided to open, examine, read and copy the private diary, address book, and personal papers and correspondence of Mr. Duncan Campbell, a journalist, after he was the victim of a bicycle accident on 9 February.
§ Mr. HurdThe Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the initial decisions relating to Mr. Campbell's possessions were taken by a uniformed police constable in accordance with routine procedure after an accident. Later decisions on the handling of the case were made by a deputy assistant commissioner.
§ Ms. Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he or any of his officials were consulted by representatives of the Metropolitan police before Special Branch officers applied, using the Official Secrets Acts, for a search warrant for the house of Mr. Duncan Campbell on 11 February.
§ Ms. Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what level in the Metropolitan police the decision was taken to apply for a search warrant and carry out a search of the home of Mr. Duncan Campbell, a journalist.