§ 53. General CROFTasked the Prime Minister whether any private firms engaged on similar business to the firm of Messrs. Harris and Dixon applied for and were refused the preferential cabling facilities granted to Messrs. Harris and Dixon at the request of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for East Worcestershire?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo record has been kept of the names of firms who may have applied for, and been refused, special cable facilities, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will supply the name of any firm he may have in mind investigation will be made.
§ General CROFTIs it not a fact that any such application would be filed with the correspondence?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have given my hon. and gallant Friend all the information which has been given to me this morning.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it not the case that an official answer was given by the Government some little time ago that there was no preferential list at all in respect of these cabling facilities?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI believe that was so.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs that answer in accordance with the facts?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONYes; it is.
§ Sir R. COOPERWill the right hon. Gentleman say how that answer could have been given in view of the fact that there are no records in the Department?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is trying to initiate a Debate.