Michael John Smith (Hansard, 24 July 2000)

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those papers which have been removed by Ministry officials this year from Michael John Smith (PR 3345), in HMP Full Sutton. [132275]

§ Dr. Moonie
No papers have been removed from the prison cell of Michael John Smith by Ministry officials. Papers containing classified information in connection with the criminal prosecution of Mr. Smith were removed from his cell by the prison authorities, who were advised and assisted by Ministry of Defence officials. A full list of all documents removed was provided to Mr. Smith by the prison authorities. I am withholding this list under Exemption 4c of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department will reply to the letter dated 19 June from Michael John Smith (PR 3345), currently in HMP Full Sutton. [132278]

§ Dr. Moonie
On the advice of the Treasury Solicitor, any correspondence received directly from Mr. Smith to my officials is forwarded to them for attention. Mr. Smith's letter of 19 June has been the subject of subsequent correspondence between the Treasury Solicitor, who acts on behalf of the Ministry, and Messrs A. S. Law, who act on behalf of Mr. Smith.

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on which dates Michael John Smith (PR 3345) in HMP Full Sutton was visited by MOD HQ Sy2 Directorate; for what purpose; and what opportunities were afforded to Mr. Smith to have a legal representative in attendance. [132277]

§ Dr. Moonie
Searches of Mr. Smith's cell were conducted by the prison authorities on 15 and 23 June 2000. Ministry of Defence officials provided advice and assistance in relation to documents stored in the cell. The purpose of the searches was to remove classified information which Mr. Smith was not entitled to keep in his cell and to arrange for its secure storage within the prison. The documents were examined in a separate room, under the prison Governor's powers of search, which do not require the presence of a prisoner's legal representative. Mr. Smith and a member of the Board of Prison Visitors were present at the search on 15 June. Mr. Smith declined to be present at the search on the 23 June.