§ Mr. Hugh FraserI beg to ask leave to move the adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely,
the report appearing in today's Daily Mail of a Cabinet meeting, involving national security and implying revelation of State and Cabinet secrets by members of the Cabinet or persons in the Cabinet Office to Mr. Walter Terry, of the Daily Mail.I seek leave to move the Adjournment so as to give the Government an opportunity to explain their position to the House, and to state, if offences have been committed, whether, under the Official Secrets Act, 1911, steps are to be taken under Section 1 against persons unknown for imparting information or against the Press under Section 2 for the act of receiving it.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe right hon. Member for Stafford and Stone (Mr. Hugh Fraser) was courteous enough to inform me this morning that he would seek to make an application under Standing Order No. 9 on this issue.
The right hon. Gentleman asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely,
the report appearing in today's Daily Mail of a Cabinet meeting, involving national security and implying revelation of State and Cabinet secrets by members of the Cabinet or persons in the Cabinet Office to Mr. Walter Terry, of the Daily Mail.As the House knows, under Standing Order No. 9 I am directed to take into account the several factors set out in the Order, but to give no reason for my decision.I have listened carefully to the right hon. Gentleman. I have given careful consideration to the representation that he has made, but I have to rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.