§ Mr. AttleeMay I ask the Prime Minister two questions on business? The first is, what will be the business for Friday; and the second is, whether he has any statement to make as to the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Norwood (Mr. Sandys)—
§ ["That a Select Committee of this House he appointed to inquire into the substance of the statements made on 27th June in this House by the hon. Member for Norwood and the action of the Ministers concerned, and generally on the question of the applicability of the Official Secrets Act to Members of this House in the discharge of their Parliamentary duties."]
§ The Prime MinisterThe business on Friday will be: Supply, Committee, 14th Allotted Day (First Part). The Estimate for the Forestry Commission will be considered.
In reply to the right hon. Gentleman's second question, the Government propose to set up a Select Committee to inquire into the matter, and the terms of reference will be those contained in the Motion standing on the Order Paper in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Norwood (Mr. Sandys). I propose that this Committee should consist of 10 members, and discussions will take place immediately through the usual channels as to the constitution of the Committee. The necessary Motion will be tabled as soon as possible. Provided that the Committee stage of the Finance Bill is concluded to-night, I hope that an opportunity will be found to debate the Motion on Thursday. I will make a further statement to-morrow.
§ Mr. AttleeMay I take it that, in the discussion on the Motion, the Prime Minister will make a statement as to what the attitude of the Government is with regard to the Official Secrets Act and Members of this House; because, if this Committee is to be set up, we may for some time be uncertain, unless we have an indication from the Prime Minister, what is the practice of the Government in this matter? May I ask, also, whether a statement will be made by the Secretary of State for War?
§ The Prime MinisterWith regard to the right hon. Gentleman's first question, I think I should like to consider that; he did not give me notice of it. As to his 1725 second question, I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War is extremely anxious to make a statement at the earliest possible opportunity.