committed but its manifesto to repeal the Official Secrets Act, endear itself to the CIA and the expelling Agee and Mark Hosenball from Britain, and using the prosecute Aubrey, Campbell.
increasing demands freedom of information legislation, which would make many government voca dents avalable lo me Thatcher is treading the path of her predecessor at 10 Downing Street -with a vengeance.
CHRISTOPHER PRICE Labour MP for Lewisham West, is a leading campaigner Official Secrets Act. describes what's in store with the Tories' new Bill.
The Protection of Official Information Bill, introduced by the back door into the of October, is the most serious long-term threat to freedom of expression in Britain this century. about spies, but against every single alternative paper in this country.
It replaces section 2 of the Official Secrets Act, which made so wide in the anti-German hysteria of 1911, and recently proved to be ineffective in by the to discussion of the security intelligence services.
The Tories have drawn up the Bill on the basis of White produced by following the Keport. Intimidate This report came committee set up by the Tories in 1971 following the prosecution of the Daily Telegraph over its use of supposedly secret documents on the Biafra war, of Mr Caufield, who said that section should be 'put out to grass'.
The Protection Information Bill is being represented as a liberalising reform of the law. In fact, it will make convictions easier to tried ARO Philip ER + Act for public, against the Here he on The Bill is not could be used the authorities obtain, intimidate which has on the whole expenditure which prevent under public scrutiny. and has most serious:
Labour Franks classification tions of the Franks Committee.
Justice protected by criminal sanctions.
Official unauthorised disclosure may serious aannage lo in the courts.
COVERNMENY IN authors and journalists, and prevent discussions area public ought to come many unsatisfactory features, but the following are the The Bill separates protection of information concerning defence and international relations from the of documents and articles, contrary to the recommenda"Classification' in this Bill is only an indication that information may be NOMENO MILITARY TODAY It would be an offence for anyone to complain publicly that his or he telephone was being tapped.
government in confidence circumstances requiring it to be held in contidence or in circumstances it which it would be expect it to be held in confidence' from a wide range of sources corporate boales organisations, of also protected.
put the burden of defendant, and include an objective the House ycal soul as possible.
*The Freedom Details 274-288 The Bill must be opposed in the House of Lords and when it comes to of Commons later this national campaign must be mobilised to draw the attention of the media and the public to the sort of offences it would create and the discussion it would prevent. I hope such a campaign can be mounted as Campaign for Press contacting various organisations, including the print anc journalists' unions, to co-ordinate a campaign against the Bill.
John Jennings, London Road, Hadleigh, Essex. Tel 0702 553131