Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 May 2001. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Thursday, 10 May 2001 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on his policy towards classification of EU documents graded as Top Secret.

Answer: Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy towards classification of EU documents graded as Top Secret. [158753] Mr. Vaz: EU security regulations provide for classification of EU documents graded as Top Secret and set out the rationale for doing so. It is right that where institutions of the European Union hold information that is Top Secret, they should handle that information with appropriate care as provided for in the relevant security regulations.

Secondary information