§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [1419]
§ Sir Patrick MayhewAs regards the period to March 1994, I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 18 February 1994,Official Report, column 1034, and 3 March 1994, Official Report, column 914.
In October 1994 I signed two certificates. In each case, in connection with civil proceedings I made a claim for certain members of prison immediate reaction forces to be screened from the public and for the protection from disclosure of certain information relating to control and restraint techniques used in prisons.
In January 1995 I signed a certificate in relation to an inquest to protect police intelligence gathering operations and the lives and safety of people involved.
In May and June 1995 I signed two certificates in relation to civil proceedings to protect information relating to three shooting incidents in 1982 and their subsequent investigations.
495WIn June 1995 the Minister of State signed a certificate in relation to civil proceedings, making a claim for certain members of prison immediate reaction forces to be screened from the public.
In October 1995 I signed a certificate in relation to civil proceedings, making a claim to protect certain police documents.
A claim to public interest immunity relating to departmental documents or information is normally made by the appropriate Minister.