§ 5.26 p.m.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, with the permission of your Lordships, I should like to intervene to make a short statement on the Report of the Conference of Privy Counsellors on security. A White Paper is being published summarising such of the contents of the Report as can be properly made public, and copies will be available in the Printed Paper Office immediately. The Government have decided to give effect to all the recommendations which the Conference have made. My right honourable friend the Prime Minister, who is making a similar statement in another place, wishes to express the Government's gratitude to my noble and learned friend the Lord Chancellor, and to the other noble Lords and right honourable gentlemen who took part in the Conference, for the thoroughness and despatch with which they performed their task.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Marquess for giving us that information. I have not yet had an opportunity of seeing the White Paper, but when I have done so I will consider whether there is anything more to be said. I should say, from the reports I have heard, that the Government are taking the right action, and I imagine that it will not be necessary to raise the matter again. However, I should like to read the White Paper before committing myself.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI shall, of course, be at the disposal of the noble Viscount at any time he wishes to see me.