HC Deb 25 June 1969 vol 785 cc1494-5
30. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he will now move to appoint a Select Committee on Defence.

Mr. John Morris

I have nothing to add to the speech made by my right hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury in the course of the debate on the Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Bill on 26th March.—[Vol. 780, c. 1467–71.]

Mr. Ridsdale

When can we have a statement from the Secretary of State about this very important subject following the most sympathetic speech in the Adjournment debate by the then Patronage Secretary? Surely at a time when defence problems are becoming more technical and scientific, we need a bipartisan approach, a sharing of defence problems across the Floor of the House?

Mr. Morris

I am aware of the hon. Gentleman's view and I have studied his speech. I am not without sympathy for what he says. As my right hon. Friend the then Patronage Secretary indicated, this was a matter for consideration, together with all the other Select Committees, to examine where we stood in this new and important experiment. As to defence, we have not been immune from probing by a select committee; hence the recent important report by the Select Committee on Science and Technology.

Mr. Luard

Would my hon. Friend not agree that this Government have gained considerable credit and good will in the country from their action in setting up a number of Parliamentary Committees, but that the real test of their intentions will be whether they are prepared to set up Committees on such important questions as foreign affairs and defence?

Mr. Morris

I am sure my hon. Friend's view will be noted by my colleagues responsible for these matters. I would stress that we have had a most important report on defence dealing with pertinent questions.