§ Q2. Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Prime Minister if he will recommend the setting up of a Royal Commission to investigate the working of the Official Secrets Act with particular reference to its effect on Government Departments.
§ The Prime MinisterI doubt whether a Royal Commission is needed for this 1071 purpose. But I am considering the proposals of the Fulton Committee about the release of official information.
§ Mr. DavidsonParticularly in the light of the currently over-fashionable use of the word "participation", does not my right hon. Friend agree that the Official Secrets Act should be looked at again to see whether it acts as an unnecessarily inhibiting factor on allowing the public to get the maximum information about the workings and decisions of Government Departments?
§ The Prime MinisterThis matter is always under review under successive Governments, as must be the case, but there could be no question of any review prejudging questions of national security.
§ Mr. MoreIn view of the fact that in the United States they seem to manage quite satisfactorily without any Official Secrets Act at all, does not the Prime Minister think that the best course in this country would be to repeal this obnoxious legislation altogether?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. In the United States they seem to manage without any official secrets.