§ Mr. ShepherdTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Public Interest Immunity Certificates he has signed since coming into office. [81446]
§ Mr. Robin Cook[holding answer 20 April 1999]: Since 1 May 1997, I have signed two Public Interest Immunity Certificates. Both certificates were to protect the operations of the intelligence agencies for which I am responsible and were within the criteria agreed in the light of the recommendations of the Scott Inquiry.
In addition, one certificate was signed by another Foreign Office Minister, Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean.