Minute by Maurice Moynihan

At a meeting of the Government held on the 13th November, 1956, there was a general, informal discussion on the subject of preparation for the emergency that would arise in the event of a grave deterioration in the existing international situation. The members of the Government were informed, in broad outline, of the history of emergency preparation since 1950, of the position in regard to the National Security Bill and the drafting of Orders to be made thereunder and of the position in regard to the War Book. They were also reminded of the memorandum dated the 19th June, 1956,¹ submitted by the Taoiseach, and the accompanying documents and of the decision taken by the Government on the 6th July, 1956,² following consideration of that memorandum and of the memorandum dated the 4th July, 1956,³ submitted by the Minister for Finance. The main provisions of the National Security Bill were explained; the proposed scope of the main National Security Order was indicated in very broad terms; and brief reference was made to the proposed separate Order dealing with Exchange Control.

The question of having the National Security Bill confidentially printed was raised, and it was informally decided that this step should not be taken at present.

At the instance of the Minister for Defence, copies of a minute dated the 9th November, 1956,⁴ submitted to that Minister by the Secretary of his Department and marked Secret, were circulated, for information (copy attached). The Minister intimated that he proposed to have the matters referred to in the minute further considered as suggested in the last sentence of the minute.