HC Deb 31 January 1955 vol 536 cc695-6
The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir Hugh Lucas-Tooth)

In the debate on the draft Parliamentary Constituencies (Newport and Monmouth) Order shortly after 3 o'clock last Thursday morning, the hon. Member for Devonport (Mr. Foot) said that the Boundary Commission had not originally proposed any change in the Newport and Monmouth constituencies, and that the proposals to which the draft Order gave effect were incorporated in the final proposals in the Commission's Report. I said that the hon. Member was wrong. I now find that the hon. Member was, in fact, right, and I wish to offer to him and to the House a sincere and complete apology.

The alteration of the local government boundary, to which the draft Order adjusts the constituency boundary, was made by the Newport Corporation Act, 1954. The alteration will not take effect for local government purposes until 1st April, 1955, but the Act which makes the alteration was passed last July. That was why I believed that the hon. Member was wrong. I find that, in fact, however, the Boundary Commission published on 29th July—the day before the Newport Corporation Act received the Royal Assent—a provisional proposal that the Newport and Monmouth constituencies should not be altered. Subsequently, the Newport Corporation asked the Commis- sion whether it intended to take account of the extension of the borough boundary, and the Commission accordingly did so, and recommended the adjustment in its Report.

I am extremely sorry that the information available to me at a moment's notice on Thursday morning was incomplete and, therefore, misleading, and that, in consequence, I unwittingly misled the hon. Member and the House.

Mr. Foot

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. While I understand that it is not possible to comment on a personal statement, and while I am sure that everyone appreciates the frankness with which the hon. Gentleman has acknowledged his error, may I ask whether I would be in order in asking the Leader of the House whether he will now resubmit this Order to the House, in view of the fact that it was passed through the House on the basis of information which is now shown to be misleading?

Mr. Speaker

Not on a personal explanation. There is nothing controversial in that.

Mr. Foot

Could you tell me, Sir, how it would be possible for me to raise this matter with the Leader of the House?

Mr. Speaker

I could not say off-hand. The hon. Member will probably find some way of doing it if he is determined to do so.