HC Deb 30 April 1963 vol 676 c900
Q4. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Prime Minister what has been the result of his inquiries into the publication of the "Spies for Peace" statement and those responsible for its publication.

The Prime Minister

Investigations are still proceeding, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Mr. Shinwell

Since the whole of the security forces, or, at any rate, a large proportion of them, and representatives of Scotland Yard have been engaged in searching for the alleged culprits for more than a fortnight, and since the Home Secretary is after them, will the Government be as successful in pursuing these alleged culprits as they have been in promoting security?

The Prime Minister

As soon as I have a report from the Special Branch and the security services, and as soon as the inquiries are finished, the House will be informed.

Mr. Shinwell

Can we be certain that the Prime Minister is serious in searching for these culprits, or is he trying to drag it out in the hope that this may be of some advantage to him in the election?

Mr. M. Foot

Can the Prime Minister tell us when authority was given by this House for the establishment of the regional seats of Government which are referred to in the pamphlet and how much money was voted for the purpose? If he cannot tell us, might it not be the case that it would be advantageous for the Government not to find the people responsible, since they have discovered the Government to be behaving illegally?

The Prime Minister

That is a quite different question from the inquiries of the Special Branch, who try to arrest people if they can bring a charge against them. In regard to the subject about which the hon. Member asks, perhaps he will put a Question down.