To ask the Prime Minister if he has decided to refer the case of Chief Petty Officer Steven Hayden to the Security Commission. [83230]

After consulting the Chairman of the Security Commission and the right hon. Gentleman, I have decided to refer this case to the Security Commission. The terms of reference will be:

"To investigate the circumstances in which breaches of security have or may have occurred arising out of the case of Chief Petty Officer Steven Hayden, who was convicted on 23 October 1998 of offences under Section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1989; and to advise in the light of that investigation whether any change in security arrangements is necessary or desirable."