§ 3.52 p.m.
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND MINISTER FOR SCIENCE (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)My Lords, it might for the convenience of the House if I repeated now a statement on a somewhat different subject which has just been made in another place by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister. The statement is as follows:
"With permission, Mr. Speaker, I will now make a statement.
"In accordance with what I told the House on Thursday, May 4, I have been reviewing what further measures should be taken to protect the security of the realm. I made it clear then that I did not rule out the possibility of a further inquiry into 357 our security system. I have now had an opportunity of considering the whole matter in some detail and I have discussed it with the right honourable gentleman the Leader of the Opposition and some of his colleagues. I have also taken account of the public anxiety which has been aroused by the case of George Blake and by other recent convictions under the Official Secrets Acts.
"The Government have decided that a fresh review should be made of the security procedures and practices currently in force throughout the public service. I propose that this review should be undertaken by a body of independent persons of standing, who will between them be able to bring to bear on this problem a judgment based on wide and varied experience. The names of the Chairman and other members will be annouced as soon as possible. The terms of reference will be as follows:
'In the light of recent convictions for offences under the Official Secrets Acts, to review the security procedures and practices currently followed in the public service; and to consider what, if any, changes are required.'"The House will recall that the Committee under the Chairmanship of Sir Charles Romer, who are already inquiring into the circumstances connected with the earlier case of espionage at an Admiralty establishment at Portland, were required by their terms of reference to'draw attention to any failure in existing security procedures which may come to their notice in the course of their inquiry'.The findings of the Romer Committee will, of course, be made available to the new Committee, who will be able to take them into account in the wider inquiry which they are to undertake."The new Committee will report to me as Prime Minister. Until I receive the Report I cannot say whether it will be possible to publish it in whole or in part. While the responsibility for any action lies with the Government it is a long-standing tradition of this House that in these matters there should be consultation between the Government and the Opposition. I shall, therefore, consult the right honourable gentleman the Leader of the Opposition when I have the Report."
§ 3.55 p.m.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHMy Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Viscount the Leader of the House for giving us the Prime Minister's statement. As the House may be aware, I was privy to the consultations. I can say this at once: that we welcome the statement of the Prime Minister. We think it is right to recognise the public disquiet which has arisen, and to do everything that can possibly be done to restore the confidence of the public in what must always be necessary security measures for the protection of the State. I think I may say at once that the terms of reference, drawn on such broad lines, are of a nature which will enable all things relevant to be examined.
LORD REAMy Lords, I would endorse what the noble Viscount has just said and say that we are very glad he was on the committee which came to this decision. It seems to me that there has been a long lapse of time since the matter was gone over on such a wide basis, and therefore we very much welcome' it. I notice that the. Prime Minister says there is a longstanding tradition of that House that in these matters there should be consultation between the Government and the Opposition. We merely ask that he does not interpret those words too narrowly.
§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMMy Lords, the last thing I should seek to do is interpret the word "Opposition" in any narrow sense. I thank both noble Lords for the welcome they have given this statement.