§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister what is the procedure for keeping her informed if papers are sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions and later to the Attorney-General under the Official Secrets Act.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Director of Public Prosecutions does not keep me informed about cases that have been referred to him. It is always open to the Attorney-General, in his discretion, or his Department, to inform me or my office about cases that have been referred to him or to the Director of Public Prosecutions which may raise matters of public importance or interest. The Attorney-General could ask me or other relevant Ministers whether I, or they, know of any considerations which he might want to take into account before he decides whether or not a prosecution would be in the public interest. There is no set procedure.