§ 6.11 p.m.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR moved, That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the applicability of the Official Secrets Acts to members of the House of Lords. The noble and learned Lord said: My Lords, with regard to the applicability of the Official Secrets Acts to members of the House of Lords I suggested, and I gather with the approval of most of your Lordships, that there should be a Select Committee appointed to inquire into the matter. I think the privileges of noble Lords, both historical and otherwise, are not the same in a number of respects as the privileges which are claimed by members of another place, and 999 accordingly it seemed to me, and others I think, that it is desirable that the matter should be gone into by a Committee, which will no doubt consist of members of this House of great experience and full of capabilities for considering the matter. In these circumstances I beg to move the Motion which stands on the Paper in my name.
§ Moved, That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the applicability of the Official Secrets Acts to members of the House of Lords—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to, and ordered accordingly.