HC Deb 07 March 1994 vol 239 cc93-4W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many public interest immunity certificates he, or his predecessors, have been asked to sign in each year since 1979; how many he or his predecessors decided not to sign; and if he will make a statement on his policies in respect of signing public interest immunity certificates.

Mr. Hanley

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The policy of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence in respect of signing such certificates is to be found in his evidence to the Scott inquiry. It is for the court in any particular case to weigh the public interest asserted in the certificate against the competing public interest in the due administration of justice.