HC Deb 28 March 1961 vol 637 cc1132-3
41. Mr. C. Pannell

asked the Prime Minister whether he will set up a Committee of Privy Councillors to inquire into Her Majesty's Government's failure to safeguard naval security.

43. Mr. Marsh

asked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with present arrangements for naval security, in view of the widespread public anxiety following the recent Lonsdale spy trial; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have been asked to reply.

I would ask hon. Members to await the statement which I propose to make tomorrow.

Mr. Pannell

Before the Leader of the House makes that statement, will he bear in mind that we are not suggesting, as the Prime Minister did, that we need any more new security measures? What we are concerned to see is that the security measures that have already been agreed upon and practised over some years should be kept? We are concerned here to investigate dereliction of duty.

Mr. Butler

We are fully aware of that, and that is the reason that the Prime Minister said that the main object of the first inquiry was to elicit the facts arising out of this case. At a later stage the Prime Minister reserved the position to look into wider issues and referred to his wish to act on behalf of the whole House and to maintain contact with hon. Members opposite.

Mr. Marsh

While both sides of the House will be pleased to hear that the Government are at least grinding into action on this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman confirm or deny that since the trial took place a further group of suspects who were being watched, it is suggested by the special branch, have since vanished? Before making up his mind what he is going to do, does he not think that the Government might be able to publish a table of ones which have left each day?

Mr. Butler

As the hon. Gentleman appears to have full information, I hope that he will place it at the disposal of the Government.

Mr. Paget

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the Admiralty will be in charge of this inquiry into naval security?

Mr. Butler

I said that I would make a statement tomorrow and, as statements were made both by myself and the Prime Minister, I think that it will be indicated when I make the statement that the inquiry is not purely a Departmental one.

Mr. Wade

Will any inquiry into this matter include consideration of the remuneration of the security officers? Is the Leader of the House satisfied that it is adequate to attract the personnel necessary for the important duties involved?

Mr. Butler

I cannot pursue that matter today.

Mr. Woodburn

The answers so far given seem to suggest that this is being regarded as the only spy ring in the country. Is not the right hon. Gentleman considering the whole question far beyond the Admiralty, because there must be many others, and perhaps the paid spy is the least dangerous of all spies?

Mr. Butler

I think that I indicated in the early hours of the morning, when I answered the right hon. Member for Belper (Mr. G. Brown), that we are well aware of these wider considerations and we are trying to bear them in mind.

Mr. Speaker

Question No. 42.

Dame Irene Ward

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May we be allowed to put just one supplementary question from the back benches?

Mr. Speaker

I have called the next Question.