asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have assessed the claim by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland in the Police Service Gazette of April 2007 that she discussed with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the security service their concerns about compromise of methodology and offered to withdraw the terminology used in a section of her Operation Ballast report, which referred to sensitive security techniques, but that the offer was not taken up; and, if so, what action they have taken as a result of that assessment. [HL4084]

The Government do not comment on matters relating to national security. The statement made by the Police Ombudsman in the Police Service Gazette is a matter for her.