HC Deb 24 October 1984 vol 65 c596W
Mr. Gerald Howarth

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many prosecutions relating to the unauthorised disclosure of classified information from his Department have been brought in each year of the last 10 years.

Mr. Renton

From 1974 to 1981 there were no prosecutions relating to the unauthorised disclosure of classified information from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In 1982 there was one prosecution, in 1983 there were none and in 1984 there has been one.

Mr. Gerald Howarth

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the arrangements within his Department for protecting the confidentiality of classified information.

Mr. Renton

The protection of classified information is a matter allowing no room for complacency, but arrangements within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are under regular review and we are generally satisfied with them.