38. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House an assurance that, with the exception of the necessary consideration of security in war time, the recent practice by certain 1221 Ministers of the Crown of answering Questions which have appeared on the Order Paper by writing to the Member concerned and not circulating the reply, shall be discontinued?
§ The Prime MinisterApart from the considerations of national safety to which my hon. Friend refers, there is no intention of departing from the well-established practice whereby answers to Questions are circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT. There are cases, however, where the matter is not of general interest or importance, or the information asked for is detailed and not immediately available. In these cases a reply by letter is, I think, not without precedent. Even so, it has always been open to any hon. Member to ask for the Answer to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT or placed in the Library for reference.
Mr. Dc la BèreWill the right hon. Gentleman have the answer given to the hon. Member for West Birmingham (Mr. Higgs) recently in connection with the appointment of Mr. Michael Arlen circulated, as it is of great interest to Members of Parliament for the Midland Region?
§ The Prime MinisterCertainly, if it is asked for.
§ Mr. ManderIs it not the case that a Written Answer was given on the subject?