European Communities Act 1972

11 Community offences

(1) A person who, in sworn evidence before the European Court, makes any statement which he knows to be false or does not believe to be true shall, whether he is a British subject or not, be guilty of an offence and may be proceeded against and punished—

(a) in England and Wales as for an offence against section 1(1) of the [1911 c. 6.] Perjury Act 1911; or

(b) in Scotland as for an offence against section 1 of the [1933 c. 20.] False Oaths (Scotland) Act 1933 ; or

(c) in Northern Ireland as for an offence against section 1(1) of the [1946 c. 13 (N.I.).] Perjury Act (Northern Ireland) 1946.

Where a report is made as to any such offence under the authority of the European Court, then a bill of indictment for the offence may, in England or Wales or in Northern Ireland, be preferred as in a case where a prosecution is ordered under section 9 of the Perjury Act 1911 or section 8 of the Perjury Act (Northern Ireland) 1946, but the report shall not be given in evidence on a person's trial for the offence.

(2) Where a person (whether a British subject or not) owing either—

(a) to his duties as a member of any Euratom institution or committee, or as an officer or servant of Euratom ; or

(b) to his dealings in any capacity (official or unofficial) with any Euratom institution or installation or with any Euratom joint enterprise;

has occasion to acquire, or obtain cognisance of, any classified information, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanour if, knowing or having reason to believe that it is classified information, he communicates it to any unauthorised person or makes any public disclosure of it, whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere and whether before or after the termination of those duties or dealings ; and for this purpose " classified information " means any facts, information, knowledge, documents or objects that are subject to the security rules of a member State or of any Euratom institution.

This subsection shall be construed, and the Official Secrets Acts 1911 to 1939 shall have effect, as if this subsection were contained in the [1911 c. 18.] Official Secrets Act 1911, but so that in that Act sections 10 and 11, except section 10(4), shall not apply.

(3) This section shall not come into force until the entry date.