HC Deb 11 April 1961 vol 638 cc26-8
40. Mr. G. Brown

asked the Prime Minister what representations he has received concerning the appointment of an additional Member to the Committee of Enquiry on Security who could contribute practical experience of the security services or bring scientific knowledge to the committee; and what decision he has made.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. R. A. Butler)

I have been asked to reply.

I have received representations from the right hon. Gentleman, to which I have replied to the effect that I was grateful to him for his suggestion but that we cannot now add such an extra member to the Committee of Enquiry.

Mr. Brown

But the reply which I received says nothing on whether the right hon. Gentleman realises that this would be a good thing to do. Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that it would be a good thing to have such a member, or is he merely relying on the fact that since we did not know whom he would appoint we could not make representations until he had appointed them?

Mr. Butler

I think that every effort was made to appreciate and understand the wishes of the Opposition. I think that the Opposition expressed its understanding that we had made the terms of the inquiry as wide as possible. As regards the membership, it is, of course, the position that the Government appoint the members, and the Government appointed the members whom they thought most suitable for the work Chat they have in hand.

Mr. Brown

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is not so much the feeling of the Opposition but the general feeling in the country at large, and particularly among those who know about these things? The right hon. Gentleman certainly made the terms wider in view of our representations, but is he aware that many people are now saying that the membership of the Committee is not in keeping with the terms given? Is he aware that many names come to mind not only to us but to all sorts of people, who clearly identify them- selves? Why is the right hon. Gentleman being so obstinate, since this Committee has not gone very far with its work, and why does he refuse to look at what many people who know about these things think ought to be done to appoint a man of this kind on the Committee?

Mr. Butler

I have no doubt that the proposal was put forward by the right hon. Gentleman as a constructive one. It was so received, but after consideration we thought that the Committee as appointed was the most appropriate to carry out the task set to it.