HC Deb 13 May 1970 vol 801 cc1235-6
38 Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will initiate an inquiry into the question of security within the Commons part of the Palace of Westminster.

Mr. Peart

The problems of safeguarding classified documents in the Palace of Westminster are being reviewed by the authorities of the House in consultation, as necessary, with the security authorities, to determine whether any changes in present procedures are required.

Mr. Hamilton

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Has he considered, or will the appropriate authorities be considering, the need for the appointment of a full-time security adviser for the House rather than leaving the matter to the House authorities, who are not as experienced in the matter as perhaps they might be expected to be?

Mr. Peart

I note what my hon. Friend has said. In view of my answer, I think this point should wait until we have the consultations.

Mr. Kenneth Lewis

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on 24th July, 1968, when this House was considering, on a Privilege Motion, the case of an hon. Member providing information to the Press from one of our Select Committees, the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) supported that hon. Member? Is he further aware that I accordingly declined to sit under the chairmanship of the hon. Member for Fife, West on the Estimates Committee and resigned from that Committee? What right has the hon. Member, therefore, to raise a question of security when he himself condones the provision of information to outside bodies from within this House?

Mr. Peart

In view of what I have said in reply to the Question on the Order Paper, my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) has a perfect right to ask me about this matter, which is one of interest. In view of my reply, let us leave it at that.

Mr. Hamilton

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. The hon. Member for Rutland and Stamford (Mr. Kenneth Lewis) has made an attack on me which is quite unjustified. If he reads in HANSARD the speech I made on the occasion he referred to, he will see what a distortion of it he has just made.