asked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government's consent was sought for the publication of material about the security and intelligence services in the book by Nigel West entitled "Molehunt".

Mr. West sent in his manuscript to the secretary of the D Notice Committee and to the Treasury Solicitor and agreed, following discussion, to remove material which the Government considered could have damaged national security or was clearly derived from breaches of confidence by present or former public servants. The Government made absolutely clear to Mr. West that it neither authorised publication of the book nor gave any kind of approval.