§ 64. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether an invitation to address the Ratcliffe Open Forum on behalf of the Labour Party on 29th October, 1947, in his capacity as Labour Director, North-West Region, National Coal Board, was accepted by Mr. C. Plover; and what were the reasons for his non-attendance.
§ Mr. GaitskellI have nothing to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 13th November.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIn view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman's reply, to which he has invited my attention, was merely a statement that the gentleman in question did not attend, will he now answer the question as to whether he accepted the invitation to take a place on a party platform in his official capacity?
§ Mr. GaitskellNo, Sir, the question of whether or not Mr. Plover accepted the invitation is not my concern, nor is it for me to conduct an inquisition into the reasons why he chose not to attend, if he did not attend.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterDoes the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that in respect of senior officials of the Coal Board using their official positions to forward party ends, he does not care two hoots?
§ Mr. GaitskellSince Mr. Plover took no part in any political activity, it is quite clear that there can be no question of the kind suggested by the hon. Gentleman.