asked the Minister for the Civil Service what sanction can be taken against civil servants who leak confidential documents to the press; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in this field.

The unauthorised disclosure of official information is regarded as a serious breach of the Civil Service code of conduct and it is the policy that an offender should be dealt with under Civil Service disciplinary procedures. The penalties include dismissal. It would be for my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General—or my right hon. and learned and noble Friend the Lord Advocate as appropriate—to decide whether to institute criminal proceedings against a civil servant who is thought to have leaked confidential documents.