HC Deb 02 April 1953 vol 513 cc1365-6
62. Mr. Ede

asked the Minister of Education if she will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of the communications which she sent to the Chairman of the Universities Council for Adult Education and the General Secretary of the Workers Educational Association in which she proposed to reduce the rate of her grants from the beginning of the educational year, 1953–54, by 10 per cent.

Mr. Pickthorn

No, Sir. As the right hon. Member will be aware, these letters were sent to the two gentlemen in question as the first steps in negotiations and discussions which are not yet completed.

Mr. Ede

Why is not the House entitled to have this information? This is a matter of very great controversy.

Mr. Pickthorn

My right hon. Friend has been, and is, plainly of opinion that, at the stage at which discussions and negotiations now are, they would not be assisted by this publication.

Mr. Chetwynd

But would not the publication of these letters show that the Minister's proposal was in fact a decision to make a cut, and is not it only because pressure has been put on the Prime Minister since then that she has tried to wriggle out of it? Is not this a case where woman proposes and the Prime Minister disposes?

Mr. Pickthorn

I do not think that it would be wise for me to try to indicate what something unpublished would show.

Mr. H. Morrison

This is a matter of considerable public importance, and discussion has been going on for some time. Surely Parliament and the nation have a right to see the letter which the Minister sent to these bodies, and which originated the controversy? May I press the hon. Gentleman to urge on the right hon. Lady that the request of my right hon. Friend is very reasonable and that Parliament and the nation have a right to the communication?

Mr. Pickthorn

I do not deny, but I do not think that I should be taken as assuming either way, that there is in any strict sense a right in this matter. I do not think that it will be proper for me now to attempt to add to what I have already said and to the answers which were given on an earlier occasion.

Mr. Morrison

Will the hon. Gentleman draw the attention of the Minister to what has been said and ask her to consider whether in the circumstances Parliament and the country have not a right to know what was in the letter?

Mr. Pickthorn

I apologise to the right hon. Gentleman. I had meant to say that I will, of course, draw the attention of my right hon. Friend to the points mentioned.

Mr. Ede

I beg to give notice that immediately after the Recess I shall put down a Motion calling for this information to be given.

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