51. Mr. FRED HALL (Dulwich)asked the Prime Minister if, for the purpose of accurate reference, he will consider the advisability of an official verbatim note being taken of proceedings in Standing Committee, as is done in the case of Select Committees and Committees on Private Bills?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think the balance of argument and convenience is against such a change, unless in very exceptional cases.
Mr. FRED HALLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that statements have been made with regard to the Committee on the Trade Union Bill, for political purposes, of a thoroughly inaccurate character?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI understand that the Press is represented at the meetings and report them, as far as they think it desirable and of interest to their readers to do so.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLAre there official reports of Rosenbaum?
§ Mr. ROBERT HARCOURTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Liberal and Labour Members of that Committee would equally welcome an official report?
§ Mr. PRINGLEWill the sight hon. Gentleman not reconsider his decision in view of the fact that frequently undertakings are given by Ministers at those Committees, and that it is well to have an authoritative report of the proceedings?
§ The PRIME MINISTEROn the whole I think the House has come to the conclusion that the advantages of making the proceedings of these Committees informal outweigh the disadvantages of having an official report, but I am quite open to argument on the subject.
§ Sir F. BANBURYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he does not think that an official report would be more accurate than a newspaper report?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should like notice of that question.
§ Mr. KINGIs there anything to prevent an hon. Member desiring his speech to be fully reported and printed doing so at his own expense?
§ Sir W. BYLESrose——
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe have already had a number of supplementary questions, and we have over one hundred questions on the Paper.