U.K. SECURITY SCARE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30107, 16 April 1963, Page 11

U.K. SECURITY SCARE

Marchers Given More Leaflets (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) MOSCOW, April 15. Moscow Radio last night acquainted Russia’s millions with details of Britain’s security scare over the “Spies for Peace” pamphlet on post-atomic-war planning, according to the Associated Press. The radio said the “sensational secret information” contained in the pamphlet had caused “obvious confusion” in British Government quarters. In London, the “Daily Telegraph” said Moscow Radio had asked its London correspondent for “precise details” of the “Spies for Peace” pamphlet and might soon broadcast the full contents.

About 15,000 leaflets giving extracts from the “Spies for Peace” pamphlet were handed out to Aldermaston marchers as they neared London last night, the “Daily Telegraph” reported.

Moscow Radio said: “While Mr Macmillan's closest advisers are urgently preparing a detailed report. British politicians are forecasting fresh difficulties for his Government.”

It said that most London newspapers, after a call from the Minis'-v of Defence, “are trying to play down the scandal and conceal the essence of the disclosures made” The London press was concentrating its fire on the security services, which had “got into a mess.” said Moscow Radio

The security scare first blew up when copies of the pamphlet were distributed to anti-bomb demonstrators in the annual march from Aldermaston. Berkshire, to London on Friday Since then, special branch detectives have been carrying out intensive investigations to find the authors and publishers. New Leaflets The international secretary of the Committee of 100. Mr Peter Cadogan, aged 42. admitted he was responsible for the distribution of the new leaflets but did not know who produced the original statement • The new leaflets were shortened versions of the original document, the ‘‘Daily Mail” said. It gave the same facts about civil defence and regional seats of government in a nuclear war

On Saturday, hundreds of nuclear disarmers broke away ’rom the Aldermaston march at R.S.G 6. one of the regional seats named in ‘he pamphlet. Mr Cadogan said eight groups of people associated with the Aldermaston march had typed and printed them The “Daily Mail" reported I’r Cadogan as saying: I de no know who produced the original document The Government is kidding itself if it thinks RSG6 is a secret Every peace campaigner in the country knows the whereabouts and details of RSG6 "There can be no crime jn reproducing what people already know The Government can take whatever action they wish against us We

believe the public has a right to know the folly of R.S G planning” Mr Cadogan said The Home Secretary (Mr Brooke) was quoted by the "Daily Mail” today as saying: “This is the work of a traitor “

Mr Brooke, interviewed at his country home, said: “What has been published is undoubtedly a breach of the Official Secrets Act Mr Macmillan and I have received reports on all this and we are being kept up to date Inquiries are being vigorously pursued ” The newspaper, describing the document as a massive leak of nuclear war defence secrets, said Mr Brooke had spoken of the Government's "deep concern ” The “Daily Mirror.” tn a front-page report, said Mr Brooke was the immediate target for political criticism as the Prime Minister headed for a “fresh storm over Britain's security services

“Mr Brooke's department is responsible for the secret arrangements described in the ‘Spies for Peace' pamphlet . ," said the ‘‘Daily Mirror” “It is 'bought that one of his staff —someone at a fairly high level—is ready to pass on information" The “Daily Sketch” reported that police would question more than 1000 persons known to have had access to secrets revealed in the document

The “Daily Express” said a “spy list” of possible Suspects was being sent by security officers tn Government departments to Scotland Yard. The Cabinet demands urgency, it said.

The “Guardian" reported that the Committee of 100 was said to be preparing 100.000 copies of extracts from the document. Russian Interest

The “Daily Telegraph” reported “hints that its contents may be broadcast over Moscow Radio indicate not only that the full details are in Russian hands but that Soviet intelligence has possessed the information for long enough to predetermine its moves.”

Elsewhere, the newspaper quoted Moscow Radio’s correspondent in London, Mr G. Trofimenko, as saying: “My information is that Moscow Radio is already in possession of the document, but I assure you that I have had nothing whatever to d« with supplying it to them.”

He said his function was that of a correspondent reporting on news in British papers and “to suggest that I am involved in any other way would be grossly unfair and absolutely untrue." The “Daily Telegraph" said all mention of the points disclosed in the pamphlet were banned to the press by the “D notice” system, which operates when security classified material is under review.

The four-day, 60-miie march from the Aldermaston nuclear weapons research station will end today with the annual Easter Monday rally in Hyde Park. A breakaway group, headed by the Committee of 100, has threatened a “more emphatic protest” with a sitdown in Whitehall.