HC Deb 31 March 1977 vol 929 cc205-7W
Mr. Sedgemore

asked the Lord President of the Council (1) if, in the light of the Prime Minister's statement in the House on 23rd March, Liberal spokesmen are to have access to restricted, confidential, secret and top secret documents and papers; and if this policy will apply to defence secrets;

(2) if, in the light of the Prime Minister's statement in the House on 23rd March, Liberal spokesmen are to be allowed to participate in decisions which would normally be classified as confidential or secret;

(3) if, in the light of the Prime Minister's statement in the House on 23rd March, Liberal spokesmen with official access to Government Departments will be positively vetted or otherwise scrutinised.

Mr. Foot

Information will be made available to the extent necessary to make consultations effective, but classified information not intended for publication will be made available only on Privy Counsellor terms.

Mr. Sedgemore

asked the Lord President of the Council if, in the light of the Prime Minister's statement in the House on 23rd March, Liberal spokesmen will be issued with passes to Government Departments.

Mr. Foot

No.

Mr. Sedgemore

asked the Lord President of the Council (1) if, in the light of the Prime Minister's statement in the House on 23rd March, Liberal spokesmen will be allowed direct access to civil servants and Government Departments;

(2) if, in the light of the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 23rd March, Liberal spokesmen will be allowed to submit papers to Government Departments; and, if so, to whom in these Departments, or to Cabinet and Cabinet Sub-Committees and to official committees.

Mr. Foot

All Members of Parliament are free to make representations to Ministers at any time.

Mr. Sedgemore

asked the Lord President of the Council if, in the light of the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 23rd March, departmental Ministers will be invited to make representations to the Consultative Committee in cases where Liberal spokesmen feel they are not being properly consulted.

Mr. Foot

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Surrey, North-West (Mr. Grylls) on 28th March.—[Vol. 929, c.34.]

Mr. Sedgemore

asked the Lord President of the Council (1) in the light of the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 23rd March, who will bear the cost of servicing the consultative committee;

(2) if, in the light of the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 23rd March, civil servants will service the consultative committee; and, if so, how they will be selected and on which parliamentary Votes their salaries will be borne.

Mr. Foot

The consultative committee will be serviced by my office. There will be no additional salary costs.

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