§ 48. Mr. Wiggasked the Prime Minister what steps he is taking to re-establish the integrity of ciphers and codes used by the Foreign Office and Armed Forces which have recently been broken, particulars of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Dudley.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI have been asked to reply.
It would be contrary to the public interest to give any information about Government cipher policy and procedures. But I can say that we have no evidence at present to confirm the information given by the hon. Member of any insecurity in confidential code or cipher systems in use by Her Majesty's Government. The hon. Member may be assured that, whenever there is even suspicion that such a system may have been compromised, immediate remedial measures are taken.
§ Mr. WiggWould not the Lord Privy Seal agree that if electronic equipment has been evolved which breaks all codes, and he has to rely on telling the truth, he will be at a considerable disadvantage?
§ Mr. ButlerAll I can say is that I have examined the statement made by the hon. Member, and if he would care to see me and give me further information, I should be only too glad to consider it.