§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the consistency between the absence in UK law of a public interest defence to breaches of the Official Secrets Act 1911 and(a) the UK's membership of the Council of Europe and (b) the UK's human rights obligations. [101390]
§ Mr. Charles Clarke[holding answer 6 December 1999]: I am advised that the absence of a public interest defence act in the Official Secrets Act 1911 is compatible with the United Kingdom's international obligations.