HL Deb 02 May 1939 vol 112 cc853-6

5.59 p.m.

LORD SNELL

had the following Notice on the Paper:—To ask His Majesty's Government whether, in view of the findings of the Select Committee appointed by the House of Commons in December last "to inquire into the applicability of the Official Secrets Acts" to members of that House, they are prepared to make any statement as to the applicability of those Acts in equal degree, and in comparable circumstances, to members of the House of Peers; and to move for Papers. The noble Lord said: My Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government the Question that stands in my name on the Order Paper, and to move for papers.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD MAUGHAM)

My Lords, I have been in communication with the Leader of the House and the Chairman of Committees, and if the House approves I think the best course to adopt with reference to the subject of the Motion before the House is that I should put upon the Paper a Motion that a Select Committee he appointed to consider the matter. If, therefore, the House approves of this course, I will take steps to place such a Motion upon the Order Paper at an early date.

LORD SNELL

My Lords, if the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack thinks that a Select Committee is required I do not apprehend that we should disagree to that course being adopted, but the matter seeems to my mind to be perfectly simple. I think that we ought to be able to claim the same privileges of immunity in this House that are accorded to members in another place. If that is so, I should hope that there is another way of arriving at a decision rather than by an inquiry by a Select Committee which might be prolonged.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, in reply to the noble Lord, I may say that I do not think it is necessary to have a very long inquiry, and it seems to me a little difficult to say that the matter should rest simply upon the decision of the few noble Lords who may happen to be present on a particular day. There may be some questions of considerable importance to consider in connection with the privileges of Peers of Parliament, and I submit that the course I have suggested—and it is the view of the Leader of the House—is the best one to take in the circumstances.

VISCOUNT SAMUEL

My Lords, I am sure your Lordships will agree to the course suggested by the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack. My noble friend Lord Snell has already said he would in the circumstances be prepared not to disagree, and I trust that the suggestion will be unanimously adopted, and that the matter may be adequately considered in a formal fashion before this House comes to a decision which would have lasting consequences.

LORD SNELL

My Lords, I beg leave to withdraw the Motion.

Motion for Papers, by leave, withdrawn.