§ Q2. Mr. Corbettasked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to the Law Courts.
§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans to do so.
§ Mr. CorbettWhen my right hon. Friend does so, will he confirm that when he said last week that he was having a change of mind about the Official Secrets Act, he meant that he was making it less restrictive for the Press in some areas, and not more effective? With the growth of both private and public powers, which could erode our freedoms, will he consider introducing a Bill of Rights which would make it easier for citizens to obtain redress when their freedoms were infringed?
§ The Prime MinisterI do mean making it less restrictive, but it follows from that that one can, at the same time, make it more effective. There are areas where I believe the Official Secrets Act should be effective. However, I noticed that a number of newspapers were doubting my bona fides. I am usually misunderstood about these matters, but it was the result of experience in this matter that led me to the conclusion that although, on the whole, as I said in evidence to the Franks Commission, I would have preferred to leave the Official Secrets Act untouched, I think the time has come to move in that direction, and the Government will have to bring their proposals forward. I can say that the House will find it an easy solution when we debate it in due course, but I think we should try to handle it and see how we can achieve a result.
1160 The consultative document published recently has a very interesting and careful analysis of the proposals both for and against a Bill of Rights. My attention was first attracted to it by Mr. Justice Scarman. I think that the House will want to consider the matter very carefully.
§ Mr. BakerDoes the Prime Minister agree that the rule of law is important internationally, as it is nationally? Will he be a little more forthcoming about the action of the Israeli Government last weekend, which sought to establish a primacy of the rule of law over political movements that seek to achieve their ends though murder and piracy?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think there is any doubt about this Government's attitude, or our predecessors' attitude, on the matter of hijacking and the establishment of the rule of law internationally. I have said—I made it clear yesterday—how much we welcome the fact that the hostages' lives had been saved and the hijacking attempt had failed. However, I do not think it necessary to embroil ourselves any further than that at the present time.
§ Mr. Hugh JenkinsWill my right hon. Friend publish the terms of reference of the Houghton Committee in the immediate future? Will they embrace not only the particular case but make recommendations on the whole question of restrictions, as well as investigating the case in question?
§ The Prime MinisterI would certainly hope to give an answer on that in the near future, but it will be concerned basically, as I have emphasised before, with procedures for safeguarding papers rather than the judgments that flow from how a paper should be rated. It is that aspect of the matter that the Committee has agreed to look into.
§ Mr. ChurchillRegarding the maintenance of law at international level, will the Prime Minister convey to the Secretary General of the United Nations that it is the belief of the overwhelming majority of people in this country that the Israelis, by their daring and courageous action, have contributed more to the maintenance and upholding of law and order internationally than the Secretary General has done during his whole tenure of office?
§ The Prime MinisterI see no advantage in trying to play off the Israeli Government against the Secretary General, or seeking to attempt to make me deliver judgments on these matters. I think that as time wears on it will be seen that there are consequences which perhaps have not yet been foreseen. We should ourselves reserve judgment on the matter whilst expressing our full delight and appreciation of the fact that many hostages' lives were saved and that the hijacking attempt by the terrorists, which we all deplore and condemn, failed.
§ Mr. SandelsonI agree largely with what the Prime Minister has said, but is my right hon. Friend nevertheless able to give details of any steps taken, or negotiations entered into, by the Secretary General of the United Nations with a view to securing the release of the hostages at Entebbe Airport?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not responsible for the Secretary General's actions and I am not informed whether he took any steps on this matter. I know personally, and from members of his own office, that he has attempted to settle the Middle East dispute in the past and has acted as a good friend to both sides. He is a servant of the world who has given very good service over many years. I do not think that on this one occasion he should be publicly rebuked from this Box in the House of Commons.