§ Order of the day for the Second Reading read.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (VISCOUNT PEEL)My Lords, this Bill is intended to amend the Official Secrets Act of 1911. Of course, great changes have taken place in espionage during the war, and great advances, if advances they may be called, have occurred in that somewhat doubtful art, and the experience of countering espionage which we have had during the war is embodied in the amendments contained in this Bill. I do not think your Lordships would desire me to deal with the Bill at any length. It is entirely a matter of detail, and I think probably you would prefer that on the Committee stage I should explain any details which are not quite plain. At present I will content myself with moving the Second Reading.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.— (Viscount Peel.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.