§ 2.47 p.m.
THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (EARL JELLICOE)My Lords, I am sure your Lordships will agree, particularly in view of the events which took place in London a week ago last Thursday, that it is prudent that we should keep our security arrangements in your Lordships' House under pretty steady review. From time to time either my noble friend the Chief Whip or I have made appeals to the House in the interests of security that your Lordships should obtain photographic passes. These appeals have met with a considerable degree of success, and I understand that over 300 Peers are now in possession of such a pass. Nevertheless, my Lords, this figure represents less than one-half the number of Peers who attend this House during a Session, and if there are any noble Lords in your Lordships' House this afternoon who have not got passes I should like to suggest that they should very carefully consider the desirability of obtaining one. This can quite easily be done from the Pass Office at the foot of the stairs leading up from Chancellor's Gate. The possession of these passes considerably lightens the not easy task of the police and the custodians, and I think it is in the interests of all of us that their routine work should be made easier wherever this is possible.
The House authorities have also taken steps to tighten up certain of our security procedures, especially as they affect cars parking outside your Lordships' House. These will, I am afraid, cause many noble Lords some degree of inconvenience, but I would ask your Lordships to bear with the situation for the time being and to co-operate with the police in the task that they are carrying out. I believe that this is in the interests of us all.