HC Deb 22 October 1945 vol 414 c1669
38. Sir W. Smithers

asked the President of the Board of Trade by whose instructions was a report of his speech at Blackpool to a conference of trades' councils included in the "Board of Trade Journal"; and will he give instructions that political speeches shall not in future be included in a statistical journal, the cost of which is borne by the general body of taxpayers.

The President of the Board of Trade (Sir Stafford Cripps)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for East Renfrew (Major Lloyd) on Wednesday last.

Sir W. Smithers

Arising out of that informative answer, will the Minister give permission to, or make arrangements for, the hon. Member for Orpington to write a reply in the forthcoming issue of the "Board of Trade Journal" in answer to his speech?

Sir S. Cripps

I am afraid not; that would not be a statement of Government policy.

Sir W. Smithers

May I ask the Minister how he dared to use an official publication for—[Interruption].