NATIONAL SECURITY (PRESS DISCLOSURES) (Hansard, 1 February 1978)

§ Mr. Blaker
I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the need for an inquiry into the disclosure in the Press of secret matters affecting national security. The matter is specific in that there is a report in today's Press that last summer the identity was disclosed of a man working in a top job in Downing Street who was said to be a Soviet agent. The story goes on to disclose a reference in a conversation with journalists to the—

§ Mr. Arthur Lewis
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. On a number of occasions I have been told by the Table that, by established practice and by the rules of the House, no hon. Member may raise anything which is in any way of a secret nature. Anything of that nature must not be revealed, debated or mentioned.
If the hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker) is raising something which he says is secret, I should like to know whether we shall in future be allowed to raise matters which are secret, since, frankly, I have been barred many times on that.

§ Mr. Speaker
In view of his long experience in the House, I pay great respect to what the hon. Gentleman says, but all that the hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker) has done so far has been to refer to what is in the Press today. That is not a secret. I think that we ought to hear what the hon. Member has to say.

§ Mr. Blaker
I confirm, Mr. Speaker, that it is not my intention to raise any matters which are secret.
The story goes on to disclose a reference in a conversation with journalists to the fourth man in the Philby affair. It continues by saying that the civil servant involved had been the subject of an inquiry and had been cleared.
Whether or not that last point is correct is not my concern today, important though it is. My concern is that this is not the first time that stories revealing what must be secret matters affecting the security of the country have appeared in the Press in recent weeks. Only last Monday stories were published which brought into question the efficiency and impartiality of the security services.
I believe this to be a new departure in the way we deal with security matters in this country and one which has serious implications. I urge that it would be right for the Prime Minister to set up an independent inquiry into how these allegations came to be made public and the facts surrounding them. The exact terms of reference of the inquiry would, of course, be a matter for discussion in the debate.
The matter is, therefore, specific in that it involves the need for an inquiry into the reports in the Press today and on Monday.
The matter is important because these revelations reflect on the way in which responsibility for security has been and is being exercised. The efficient working of our security services is vital to the country's interests, and, at least, these stories must have damaged the morale of the security services. Moreover, it seems to me that today's story, like Monday's, involves the disclosure of official secrets.
486 The subject should have urgent consideration, because today's story suggests that what is involved is not simply one occasion but several occasions on which secret matters have been ventilated to and in the Press. For all I know, there may be more to come.
The many serious and, indeed, alarming questions to which this matter gives rise should be cleared up as soon as possible. Not only is it important that the morale of our security services should be maintained, but it is important that public confidence in them should be preserved. The House should have the opportunity to express itself on the subject as soon as possible.

§ Mr. Speaker
The hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker) gave me notice before 12 o'clock today that he proposed to raise this matter. He wishes there to be a debate on the need for an inquiry into the disclosure in the Press of secret matters affecting national security. As the House knows, under Standing Order No. 9 I am directed to take into account the several factors set out in the Order, but I have not to decide whether there ought to be a debate on the matter. I have to decide whether there shall be a debate tonight or tomorrow.
Having listened carefully to what the hon. Gentleman has said, I am afraid that I cannot grant his application.