§ 38. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Lord President of the Council what progress has been made in recent months in improving security in the Palace of Westminster.
§ Mr. WhitelawFollowing a report from the Security Co-ordinator, a number of steps have been taken to improve security precautions in the House, and the Services Committee has further measures under urgent consideration.
§ Mr. HamiltonHave all those hon. Members, whether Government Ministers or back benchers, who have access to or are in possession of papers of a confidential nature accommodation which they can lock?
§ Mr. WhitelawI will look into that point, which the hon. Gentleman has properly put to me. But I think he would 521 agree that it would be unwise for me in general terms to go into details of the measures which have been taken.
§ Mr. Leslie HuckfieldWhat examination has been made of the possibility of installing equipment of an anti-hijacking type at the entrance to the Strangers' Gallery, representations about which have been made to the right hon. Gentleman by a firm in my constituency?
§ Mr. WhitelawI would not wish to go beyond the terms of my original answer.
§ Sir R. ThompsonIn trying to balance the requirements of better security and the proper functioning of the House, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that most hon. Members would rather accept some degree of personal risk than see this place turned into a fortress difficult of access to our constituents?
§ Mr. WhitelawI note what my hon. Friend says, and I have much sympathy with it. I do not think that there is any question of trying to turn the House into a fortress of any kind.