HC Deb 16 February 1971 vol 811 cc1600-1
Q1. Mr. Arthur Davidson

asked the Prime Minister if the public speech of the Lord President of the Council to the Newspaper Society in London on Government policy towards the Press on 19th January represents Government policy.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Edward Heath)

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Davidson

Could I tempt the Prime Minister to go a little further with regard to the Government's intentions towards the Official Secrets Act than his right hon. Friend was, understandably, able to go in what was a very interesting speech? Would the Prime Minister not agree that the only circumstances in which officialdom is justified in keeping facts secret from the public is where national security and defence are at risk? Would he not further accept that Section 2 of the Official Secrets Act, which is now utterly discredited and has been for some time operating against the public interest, should be abolished forthwith on its own?

The Prime Minister

The points which the hon. Gentleman has made are of the greatest importance. They were quite rightly emphasised by my right hon. Friend, and I have drawn attention to them in the past. The Government thought it right to wait until the conclusion of the case which has recently been before the courts before making any statement about this matter. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will be making a statement in the very near future dealing with the points raised by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Harold Wilson

Is the Prime Minister aware that we took the same view about this that we must wait for this case to be heard? I think that some work had been done, as he will find, about terms of reference and possible personnel. On this question of official secrets and making information available, is he aware that, despite the debates we have had on Rolls-Royce, we do not feel that either this House or the public have been given the information required upon which to form a view about the issues involved? Is he aware that there is a strong feeling on this side of the House, and probably more widely, that it would be desirable to set up a Select Committee to inquire into the Rolls-Royce case at the earliest opportunity?

The Prime Minister

I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that both major parties in the House have given considerable thought to the question of the Official Secrets Act over a long Period of time. As to the last point, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, the firm is to call a special meeting to ask for authority to request a full inquiry by the Department of Trade. This is the procedure laid down under our existing law, and it seems to be the right procedure to follow.