§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he will make a statement on his practice, when considering prosecutions and the issue of warrants in relation to offences under the Official Secrets Acts, on consulting other Ministers about the damage to the public interest caused by a particular disclosure.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandWhen considering prosecutions under the Official Secrets Acts where there is a legal sufficiency of evidence the Lord Advocate would have regard to the damage to the public interest which has resulted from the disclosure and the effect of a prosecution on the public interest. To this end he may, but is not obliged to, consult any of his colleagues in the Government. It would not be his practice to consult any other Minister when considering applications for search warrants in the course of a criminal investigation.