TNAG-2702-FCO40-3908-Memoirs-of-Sir-Percy-Cradock--diplomat-and-sinologist-1993 — Page 256

15 FEB 93

11:48 No.006 P.05/64

LORD PRIVY SEAL OFFICE

10:0712700431

C.

He should not make public assessments or criticisms, favourable or unfavourable, of those who have served under him or those whose competence or suitability for particular posts he has had to measure as part of his official duties.

He may, however, regard the obligations concerned with confid- ential relationships (but not those concerned with national security and international relations) as lifted after the expiry of 15 years from the relevant events, though even beyond that point he should not reveal the advice tendered by individuals who are still members of the public services nor make public assessments or criticisms of them. (Paragraphs 45-47, 83, 85, 86).

These restrictions leave him a wide latitude for the writing of an account of his stewardship. (Paragraph 87).

4.

5. The established principles of law do not provide a system which can protect and enforce those rules of reticence that the Committee regard as called for when ex-Ministers compose their memoirs of Ministerial life. (Paragraph 65).

6.

69).

7.

Nor does legislation offer the right solution.

(Paragraph

There can be no guarantee that, if the burden of compliance is left to rest on the free acceptance of an obligation of honour, there will never be an occasional rebel cr an occasional breach; but so long as there remains a general recognition of the practical necessity of some rules and the importance of observing them, the Committee do not think that such transgressions, even though made the subject of sensational publicity, should be taken as having shattered the fabric of a sensible system. (Paragraph 69).

8. A Minister on taking and leaving office should have his attention drawn explicitly to his obligations in relation to memoirs. (Paragraphs 71, 72).

9. A former Minister proposing to publish a work relating to his Ministerial experience should submit the manuscript to the Secretary of the Cabinet. (Paragraphs 73-77).

10. The Secretary of the Cabinet, acting at the request and ca behalf of the Prime Minister, should have duties of two kinds in relation to such a manuscript. (Paragraphs 77, 78).

1. To have it examined in respect of national security and the preservation of international relations and to transmit any objections to the author. The author should have a right of reference to the Prime Minister but should accept the latter's decision as final. (Paragraph 79).

2.

To offer views on the treatment of confidential relationship in the manuscript. The author should pay careful attention to this advice but must take upon his own shoulders the respon- sibility for deciding what he is going to say. If he decides to publish material in spite of advice from the Secretary of the Cabinet, he should let the Secretary know what he proposes to do so that before publication there may be time for the Prime Minister's own direct influence to be brought to bear upon the dispute, if the Prime Minister so wishes. (Paragraph 80).

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