HL Deb 13 June 2000 vol 613 cc200-2WA
Lord Dubs

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to publish the Intelligence and Security Committee's report into the handling of the information provided by Vasili Mitrokhin. [HL2797]

The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Jay of Paddington)

I have today laid before the House a copy of the Intelligence and Security Committee's report into the security and intelligence agencies' handling of the information provided by Mr Mitrokhin. In consultation with the committee, a small number of excisions from the original text have been made on grounds of national security. I have also today laid before the House the Government's response to the committee's report.

The Government are very grateful to the committee for the report of its inquiry. Mr Mitrokhin's information is uniquely valuable. Its authenticity has been proved beyond doubt. The Government have drawn a number of conclusions from the information itself, from the publication project and from the findings of the Intelligence and Security Committee's inquiry. The most significant are:

  1. (i) The KGB posed a major threat to British interests but the United Kingdom's security and intelligence agencies were notably successful in containing this threat. After the expulsion of more than 100 Soviet intelligence officers in 1971, the KGB found the United Kingdom an extremely difficult target and operational environment.
    2. WA 202
  2. (ii)Mr Mitrokhin himself is a brave man who was determined in his efforts to expose the KGB. The Government pay tribute to him.
  3. (iii) Credit is due to the Secret Intelligence Service for its role in getting Mr Mitrokhin and his material safely to the United Kingdom. This was a tremendous intelligence coup. Credit is also due to the security and intelligence agencies for their work in exploiting the material. This has been beneficial not only for the UK but also for many other countries.
  4. (iv) The publication project, leading to The Mitrokhin Archive, allowed Mr Mitrokhin's material to be made available to a wider readership. The Government believe that it was right to put this historic record into the public domain.
  5. (v) Lessons have been learnt from the handling of Mrs Norwood's case.

Finally, I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to our intelligence and security agencies for their dedication and professionalism in protecting our vital national interests.