§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all those in his Department who have authority to issue public interest immunity certificates; how many such certificates have been issued in each of the last five years; and what were the main reasons for them.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonPublic interest immunity certificates are authorised and signed by my right hon. Friend.
In 1993, two certificates were signed. Each related to proceedings in the Court of Session raised by a prisoner against the Secretary of State for Scotland. Each certificate concerned matters of prison security. In one of the cases, the certificate was produced in the court proceedings.
In each of the other years, no certificates have been issued.