§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many public interest immunity certificates he has signed in each of the past six months; and in what circumstances.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[holding answer 24 November 1992]: I signed two certificates, one in June and the other in September, in connection with the proceedings in R. v. Henderson and Others. They related to the disclosure of any oral or documentary evidence relating to certain aspects of the work of the security and intelligence services. In July, I siged a certificate relating to communications between police forces or prosecuting authorities in connection with the detection and investigation of crime and the apprehension of offenders, in proceedings brought for judicial review of a decision by magistrates to commit a defendant on charges of dishonesty. I signed another certificate in July, relating to the disclosure of certain categories of information contained in the Prison Service Control and Restraint Manual, in proceedings for damages for personal injuries brought by prison officers.