HC Deb 07 June 1951 vol 488 cc1226-7
The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Stokes)

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I would like to take this first opportunity of removing any misunderstanding which may have arisen: from my answers yesterday to supplementary questions regarding the publication of reports on Festival Gardens. Ltd.

I would confirm that, as I then stated, the promised White Paper will contain the actual reports put in to Festival Gardens, Ltd., by Messrs. Moores, Carson and Watson and Messrs. Peat, Marwick and Mitchell, the two firms of chartered accountants concerned. I must, however, make it clear that, in both these cases, earlier interim versions were submitted in great haste more than a month ago, and these earlier versions, which have in both cases been superseded by the later versions, will not appear in the White Paper.

The revised report of Messrs. Moores, Carson and Watson summarises their findings and conclusions, but omits certain facts and figures, publication of which at this stage would, I am advised, prejudice a satisfactory business settlement of outstanding claims against Festival Gardens, Ltd. Neither the Company nor I have edited, or will in any way edit or expurgate, the reports as they have finally been submitted by the independent chartered accountants themselves.

Mr. Eden

I think perhaps I ought to say that we had no warning at all of what the right hon. Gentleman has just told us, and that it was not very easy to follow, offhand. I think we shall have to consider the position and examine the statement.

Mr. Duncan Sandys

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that the omissions in the two reports which he is to submit to the House result from a quite independent decision of the accountants, and were not inspired or suggested by the Government?

Mr. Stokes

I am very glad to have the opportunity of reaffirming what I said yesterday, and what I have said all along. I have nothing whatever to conceal, and I should be very glad indeed if the preliminary reports could be published as well. They were made in haste, because I wanted to get on and make changes. Subsequently, they were found to contain inaccuracies and certain facts and figures, which, if published, I am advised, would prejudice the negotiations between the company and the contractors. I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that we have nothing whatever to hide. I did ask that the papers should be sent to the right hon. Gentleman this morning, but they may have gone to the right hon. Gentleman who asked the supplementary questions yesterday.

Sir John Mellor

Will all the facts and figures omitted in these publications be subsequently published?

Mr. Stokes

That just depends whether the House wishes it. I should not stand in the way.