§ Mr. Robert McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what inquiries he has conducted to302W establish who was responsible for passing restricted Department of Agriculture personnel documents to the Irish News; when the RUC was informed; what action can be taken against those held responsible; and to what extent such action takes account of the Northern Ireland civil service fair employment code. [18750]
§ Sir Patrick MayhewThe permanent secretary of the NIO and the head of the Northern Ireland civil service has ordered an inquiry into the leakage to the media of documents and other information relating to the identity, records and deployment of civil servants in Northern Ireland. That inquiry will be headed by Mr. William Innes, a former senior Whitehall official with experience of government in Northern Ireland.
If the inquiry indicates that a criminal offence may have been committed, the RUC will be informed.
Only when the inquiry has been completed can a decision be taken on appropriate action. If that action involves a civil servant, it will comply with the civil service pay and conditions of service code.