HC Deb 15 June 1955 vol 542 cc582-3
27. Mr. Hunter

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why facilities were refused during the recent General Election to candidates to address electors employed by his Department at London Airport, when invited by trade unionists during their meal-time intervals.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

No such facilities were asked for.

Mr. Hunter

That is not correct.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

If the hon. Gentleman, who I think from the reports which I have had is under a misunderstanding as to the nature of the audience which he sought to address, cares to let me have particulars, I will investigate any matter on which an hon. Member differs from me on a matter of fact, but the report which I have received, after careful investigation, is that the hon. Gentleman did not ask to be allowed to address electors at London Airport employed by my Department. He may not have known the audience he was addressing, but that is an experience perhaps common to many of us.

Mr. Hunter

I was invited by trade unionists working at London Airport and employed by his Department, I was definitely invited by the joint shop stewards' movement.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

What the hon. Gentleman must do, if I may respectfully remind him, to bear out the allegation of fact made in his Question is to indicate to whom a request of this nature was made and to which responsible authority it was directed.

Mr. Callaghan

Would the Minister of Transport address himself to the substance of my hon. Friend's Question? Is his objection to the request that was made that they were not wholly electors of my hon. Friend, or is it because there were electors from other constituencies included in the audience which he would have addressed? What is the general rule, so that we can be clear about it?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

My information on this subject, which, of course, is subject to further investigation, is that no request was made to address the employees of my Department, no matter whose electors they were. That is the information which I have received. If the hon. Gentleman wants to put down a Question on the general issue about Government practice, I think it is a matter which would more properly lie with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.