Why do postmen have to sign the official secrets act?

[shimmyrule]

anyone answer this?
And security book, do we need to sign every 6 months?
Havent seen book for years?

[markj113]

could tell you but then I'd have to kill you :)

[muzzy]

I'm guessing it's more to do with data protection act, as we see everyone's names and addresses and I assume you aren't supposed to disclose who lives where, despite being able to find out on an electoral
Register or phone book!

[NewPostieUK]

This is the first I've heard.

What am I supposed not to disclose?

I'm sure I've never signed anything.

[Glyno]

hmmm... so, let's assume I deliver to a very nice house who has an addressee called (for eg) Alex Ferguson.
Would I be in breach of the official secrets act if I casually mentioned this to a mate in the pub?

NewPostieUK - I remember signing such a form at my induction.

[shimmyrule]

Same here, http://www.ros.gov.uk/foi/staff_handboo ... ecrets.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

surely none o this applies to us?

[Lounge Lizard]

hmmm... so, let's assume I deliver to a very nice house who has an addressee called (for eg) Alex Ferguson.
Would I be in breach of the official secrets act if I casually mentioned this to a mate in the pub?

NewPostieUK - I remember signing such a form at my induction.

And if you deliver there regularly you'll know who he banks with, insures with and does all other types of business with.

[krussel]

We once had a famous MP (now moved) in our patch who in the days before the internet subscribed to a very strong Porno mag from over sea's. News of the World would have paid a lot for that info and we would be doing some sort of time

[slave]

I vaguely remember signing it all them years back! Sure it's something to do with what was said above, you can't go blabbing to x about y etc.

What on earth is a security book though? Never heardof or signed one of them..

[Lounge Lizard]

We once had a famous MP (now moved) in our patch who in the days before the internet subscribed to a very strong Porno mag from over sea's. News of the World would have paid a lot for that info and we would be doing some sort of time

"subscribed to a very strong Porno mag" - but that of course was only in the interests of research, he had no real interest in the naughty pictures.

[seeker019]

It's basicly so you can't go the the press and tell them what a bunch of theiving Gits RM are, from the theft of CS and overtime payments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I still have my copy and it says

Official Secrets Act:

A Person may be entrusted with information which is covered by the Official Secrets Act 1989 whilst engaged in business for the Royal Mail Group.

Under the Official Secrets Act 1989, it is a criminal offence for a Government Contractor (which means any person or body who is employed in the provision of goods or services for the Crown) including any employee of a Government contractor , to: -

. disclose unlawfully any information obtained as a result of such work without authorisation, and
. fail to safeguard or improperly retain or provide access to documents or articles containing information which it would be an offence under this Act to disclose.

The above apply even when work within Royal Mail Group ends.

There are also sections for the Data Protection Act, our responsibilities under Royal Mails Obligations, Safety of Postal Packets and Confidential Information. However, its all basically is the same thing. Namely that it is a criminal offence to delay, destroy, open or steal a letter, parcel, mail bag or other postal packet and that its also illegal to improperly obtain, hold, use or disclose any information, manual or electronic, about any identifiable living people.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

hmmm... so, let's assume I deliver to a very nice house who has an addressee called (for eg) Alex Ferguson.
Would I be in breach of the official secrets act if I casually mentioned this to a mate in the pub?

NewPostieUK - I remember signing such a form at my induction.

Yes - See my post above this one

Same here, http://www.ros.gov.uk/foi/staff_handboo ... ecrets.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

surely none o this applies to us?

Yes it does we come under the Government Contractor part as a Group and Paragraph 11 in your link as members of the public.




Never heard of a security book though, unless you mean the declaration about Postal Packets we sign for every six months.

[mclovin]

I signed it in 1995. Surely you should need to sign this on a more regular basis, does it not have a time limit?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I signed it in 1995. Surely you should need to sign this on a more regular basis, does it not have a time limit?

No - I am still covered by one from my time in the Forces - however that was for sensitive work and is covered by a lifetime declaration.