§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the reasons why he issued a special certificate under the national security provisions of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978, in respect of Mr. David Vidler, of Rock lane, Hastings, East Sussex.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI have been asked to reply.
Like other Ministers, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has responsibility to the public to ensure that the interests of national security are not put at risk by the details of a particular case being subjected to open examination. He was satisfied that the case of Mr. Vidler fell within this criterion.