HC Deb 11 March 1998 vol 308 cc205-6W
Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will announce the venue for the National Assembly for Wales. [33897]

Mr. Ron Davies

I hope to announce my decision shortly.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what categories of classified documents or other information will be made available to(a) all members of the National Assembly for Wales, (b) members of the Executive Committee and (c) members of other committees. [33932]

Mr. Ron Davies

Final decisions have not yet been reached on this matter. The categories of classified documents and other information extend beyond those dealing with subjects covered by the Official Secrets Act 1989. It will be important for those charged with making decisions on behalf of the Assembly to have available to them such documents or information as are necessary for the proper discharge of their functions.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment (i) he has made and (ii) his Department has made, of the practical effects of making members of an elected assembly Crown servants for the purposes of the Official Secrets Act 1989. [33930]

Mr. Ron Davies

The practical effects are likely to be limited, given that the Official Secrets Act 1989 is concerned with the unauthorised disclosure of information on matters which generally will not relate to the Assembly's functions. Ministers of the Crown, who are members of an elected Parliament, are Crown servants for the purposes of the Official Secrets Act 1989.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether refusal to accept being made a Crown servant for the purposes of the Official Secrets Act 1989 will disqualify an otherwise duly elected member of the National Assembly for Wales from being an Assembly member. [33929]

Mr. Ron Davies

The effect of clause 79 of the Government of Wales Bill is that a member of the National Assembly for Wales would automatically be a Crown servant for the purposes of the 1989 Act. There would therefore be no question of a member being disqualified for refusing to accept such a status.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if a candidate for the National Assembly for Wales will be required to indicate their agreement if elected to being made a Crown servant for the purposes of the Official Secrets Act 1989; and whether failure so to do would be a bar to candidature. [33931]

Mr. Ron Davies

No.