§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why officials of banks involved in the financing of the Daya nuclear power plant have been required to sign a declaration under the Official Secrets Act.
§ Mr. Butcher[pursuant to his reply, 11 February 1986]: Non-civil servants given access to official information are bound by the Official Secrets Act. In this case, because of the extent of Government involvement in negotiations, the sensitivity of relations with the French and Chinese Governments, and the need for close liaison between the Government and the banks, it was decided that the bankers most closely associated with the project should sign a declaration under the Act.