§ 45. Dame Irene Wardasked the Prime Minister which members of the Radcliffe Committee have recent experience of modern offensive espionage, as apart from para-military or counter-intelligence.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydI have been asked to reply.
I think the membership of the Radcliffe Committee has been generally accepted as being well-balanced and covering a wide range of experience.
§ Dame Irene WardIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware, and will he convey to the Prime Minister, that people who are in a position to know think that this distinguished Committee is not sufficiently well balanced over the whole field? Would he also give an assurance that these people, who are in a position to know because of the services they have already rendered, will be permitted to give information to the Radcliffe Committee on the points I have raised in the Question without infringing the oaths of secrecy which they took when they took up the service?
§ Mr. LloydI will convey to the Prime Minister the first part of the hon. Lady's supplementary question, although I do not think that he will agree with what she has suggested. I will examine the second part of her supplementary question.