§ Clause 5, page 8, line 22, leave out from ("as") to ("with") in line 23 and insert ("it is not in his opinion inconsistent")
§ LORD MILLSMy Lords, with your Lordships' permission, I should like to speak on Amendments Nos. 21 and 29 together. These Amendments slightly change the emphasis of the provisions which empower the Minister to withhold from publication, on security grounds, any part of a report by an inspector or a tribunal. The wording of Clause 5 (3) and of paragraph 6 of the Schedule, as they now stand, indicates that such reports may be published only to the extent that is consistent with national security. As a result of the Amendments, the provisions in question would indicate that the reports may be published to any extent that is not inconsistent with national security. I beg to move that this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.
§ Moved, That this House doth agree with the Commons in the said Amendment.—(Lord Mills.)
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, I am not quite clear what change's produced by this Amendment, though I have studied it very carefully. Had not the Minister power previously to withhold the publication of a report on grounds of security? It is obviously a necessary restriction, albeit one which should be used as little as possible.
§ LORD MILLSI think the clause as it originally stood gave the Minister the power, but it did say that such reports might be published only to the extent that was consistent with national security, whereas it now says that the reports may be published to any extent that is not inconsistent with national security. It is rather more precise, that is all; nothing more.
§ LORD SILKINMy Lords, it is a distinction without a difference, is it not?
§ LORD MILLSYes, my Lords.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.