§ 3.37 p.m.
§ Lord ABERDAREMy Lords, with your Lordships' permission, I should like to make a brief Statement arising out of the tragedy which occurred last Friday and to which reference has been made at the beginning of Questions. Mr. Speaker is making a similar Statement in another place.
Following the bomb explosion on Friday, I have approved the following recommendations by the Joint Committee on Security. First, Westminster Hall will be closed to the public and the line of route will be suspended. Secondly, all strangers, including guests and visitors not accompanied by a Peer, must enter and leave by the check-point at St. Stephen's Entrance. The police have been instructed accordingly. These restrictions will remain in effect so long as it is judged to be necessary in the interests of security. So far as the House of Lords car parks are concerned, I have authorised the police to check all cars at their discretion. Finally, the Metropolitan Police have submitted a detailed report on the explosion, the implications of which are being considered by the Joint Security Committee.
For reasons of security, I am sure that the House would not wish me to go into any further details of other measures which have already been taken or may be 1718 taken in the future. If any of your Lordships have any questions on these matters I hope that you will address them to me or Black Rod, for reference if necessary to the Joint Committee on Security. I hope the House will consider that its interests are best served by letting the matter rest there.
§ Lord RAWLINSON of EWELLMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord the Chairman of Committees. I should have thought it would be quite clear to any noble Lord that steps have to be taken and, on the face of it, these seem to be very sensible steps. They are steps which are restrictive of the working or liberty of those of us in either of the two Houses, but they are brought upon us by the wicked, evil act which took place last Friday. Therefore, my noble friends and I wholly agree with what has been suggested.
§ Lord AMULREEMy Lords, I should like to thank the Lord Chairman for the Statement which he has just made, and to say on behalf of noble Lords on these Benches that we are entirely in agreement with the steps he is taking.