§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will take steps to ensure that public interest immunity is not used to prevent evidence of collusion being introduced in proceedings taking place in(a) criminal courts, (b) coroners' courts and (c) public or judicial inquiries. [37811]
§ Mr. IngramAs was indicated by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General on 11 July 1997,Official Report, columns 616–17, Ministers of the present Government assent to public interest immunity only where the relevant Minister believes that disclosure of a document or piece of information will cause real damage to the public interest. The Secretary of State applies this test vigorously.
Where public interest immunity applies, the Secretary of State's policy is to make voluntary disclosure if she considers that the interest of justice outweighs the public interest in withholding the document or information in question. In all cases, a claim for public interest immunity is subject to the power of the court or other tribunal to order disclosure.