<Li> Official Secrets Act 1889 </Li> <P> The Official Secrets Acts 1911 and 1920 means the Official Secrets Act 1911 and the Official Secrets Act 1920 . The Official Secrets Acts 1911 to 1939 means the Official Secrets Acts 1911 and 1920 and the Official Secrets Act 1939 . The Official Secrets Acts 1911 to 1989 means the Official Secrets Acts 1911 to 1939 and the Official Secrets Act 1989 . </P> <P> People working with sensitive information are commonly required to sign a statement to the effect that they agree to abide by the restrictions of the Official Secrets Act . This is popularly referred to as "signing the Official Secrets Act". Signing this has no effect on which actions are legal, as the act is a law, not a contract, and individuals are bound by it whether or not they have signed it . Signing it is intended more as a reminder to the person that they are under such obligations . To this end, it is common to sign this statement both before and after a period of employment that involves access to secrets (e.g. MI5 / MI6). </P> <P> In addition to the Official Secrets Acts, the Naval Discipline Act 1957 made it an offence punishable with life imprisonment to spy on - board Royal Navy ships or overseas bases . This was a capital offence until 1981 . </P>

Who has to sign the official secrets act