National Security (Hansard, 29 January 1987)

§ Mr. Patrick Nicholls (Teignbridge)

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 20, for the purpose of discussing a specific and urgent matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the breach of national security posed by the Welsh Campaign for Civil Liberties' intention to show to a public audience the BBC film 'The Secret Society, Project Zircon' this Saturday. The matter is specific because it has already been revealed in the press—specifically in the Western Mail yesterday—that a time and place have been fixed for the showing of the film—Saturday 31 January at 6 pm in a club in Warnaby street, Cardiff.

The matter is urgent because it has been agreed on all sides that the showing and contents of that film represent a breach of national security. It is quite clear that this is a subject for urgent debate, because not only has it been said on the Conservative Benches that the showing of that film would be a breach of national security, but it has even been agreed by the Leader of the Opposition, despite his usual record on matters of national security, that the showing of that film would represent a real breach of security. A debate upon this subject would enable us to consider the fact that, although the Government have used all available legal remedies to stop the showing of the film, it may still be shown legally. That shows that there is a gap in the law which requires urgent legislation. If the Leader of the Opposition is to maintain the position that he has previously taken, his co-operation should be sought to enable that legislation to be passed.