§ Q2. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a further statement about the investigation he initiated into allegations in a national newspaper about disclosures of information from Government Departments.
§ The Prime MinisterCharges have been made following the allegations and the matter is sub judice. I announced on 17th June, 1971, measures to safeguard more effectively information in Government Departments.—[Vol. 819, c. 641–3.]
§ Mr. HuckfieldI am grateful for that information. I am glad that matters are 1131 now being proceeded with. Is the right hon. Gentleman personally satisfied—he has a personal responsibility here—that security procedures have been tightened up?
§ The Prime MinisterIf the hon. Gentleman studies again the announcement I made on 17th June, he will see that I announced a tightening up of measures. I think that there was general agreement in the House that it was not possible to carry on the business of government if it were laid down that no business could be conducted by telephone, which was the only other major step one could have taken. Within that context, we have tightened up. But I also said that if any further measures were shown to be necessary, as a result of the tribunal or of police action, we should not hesitate to take them.