§ Mr. ShepherdTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales for what reasons elected members of the Welsh Assembly are to be subject to the Official Secrets Act. [33722]
§ Mr. Ron DaviesThe Official Secrets Act 1989 makes it an offence for a Crown servant to make a damaging disclosure without authorisation of information relating to security and intelligence, defence, international relations, crime and special investigation powers of information entrusted in confidence to other states.
Clause 79 of the Government of Wales Bill seeks to apply the provisions of the 1989 Act, which apply to Ministers of the Crown (including Welsh Office Ministers) to those who will exercise corresponding functions within the National Assembly. Functions of the Assembly could be delegated to the Executive Committee, and also to subject committees. Clause 79 is drafted to enable those who exercise relevant functions to be in receipt of information subject to the Official Secrets Act on the same terms as Ministers are now.