Security

HC Deb 24 May 1985 vol 79 cc598-9W

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the security classification of the blueprints found on the pavement outside Warren street tube station on the night of Tuesday 14 May.

Mr. Stanley

It is not clear to which document the hon. Member is referring. The highest classification of the items in the bag was "Confidential".

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the security classification of the guided missile operator instructions found on the pavement outside Warren street tube station on the night of Tuesday 14 May.

Mr. Stanley

The operator instructions were classified "Confidential".

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the security classification of the information contained in the letter headed with the name of a senior naval officer which was found on the pavement outside Warren street tube station on the night of Tuesday 14 May.

Mr. Stanley

A number of letters from senior naval officers were included in the mail bag found outside Warren street station. Some were unclassified; none was classified higher than "Confidential".

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the security classification of the computer tapes found on the pavement outside Warren street tube station on the night of Tuesday 14 May.

Mr. Stanley

The computer tapes were classified "Confidential".

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the parcels containing classified documents which were found outside Warren street tube station on the night of Tuesday 14 May.

Mr. Stanley

In the early hours of Wednesday 15 May, a Post Office bag, containing Ministry of Defence mail, was handed to the Press Association by three youths who said that they had found it near Warren street tube station. Investigations have since revealed that the bag—part of a consignment being sent by Datapost—had fallen from a Post Office van whilst in transit. It is believed that most of the mail was either unclassified or classified as "Restricted", with a few items classified "Confidential". Although Ministry of Defence security procedures were not breached the van carrying the mail was not properly locked in accordance with Post Office regulations.