HC Deb 23 July 1957 vol 574 cc216-7
58. Mr. T. Fraser

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what official instructions he gave one of the Under-Secretaries of State for his meeting with the directors of the Dumfries and Galloway Standard.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. John Maclay)

None, Sir.

Mr. T. Fraser

But is not the Secretary of State aware that one of his Under-Secretaries had a meeting with the directors of the Dumfries and Galloway Standard, at which he made it clear that the editor had been writing editorials criticising Her Majesty's Government, and that, as a result of that meeting, he editor was sacked? [HON. MEMBERS: "Shame."] Is the Secretary of State saying that an Under-Secretary of State, a Minister in Her Majesty's Government, complained to a board of directors, as a result of which complaint the editor was sacked, yet the Under-Secretary got no instructions about the meeting with the board of directors?

Mr. Maclay

I do not accept the implications of what the hon. Gen leman has been saying, but I am satisfied that the meeting referred to was not fended by my hon. Friend in his capacity as a Minister. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] It would not, therefore, be proper for me to make any comment on what took place.

Mr. Gaitskell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his answer is entirely unsatisfactory? How can he possibly claim that his Under-Secretary can divest himself, on a hotly political issue, of his position as Minister? Does the Secretary of State deny the facts in this case, namely, that the Under-Secretary did, in fact, go to this meeting of directors that he did protest against the editorials written by the editor of this paper; that, in consequence of his protest, the editor was sacked? How can he possibly defend ac ion of this kind, which is entirely contrary to the precedents and traditions of the responsibility of Ministers in such issues?

Mr. Maclay

Really, Mr. Speaker, we all go to our constituencies and conduct our own operations as Members of Parliament. I would not begin to think that a Secretary of State can have a proper knowledge of what an hon. Member does in his own constituency—[Interruption.] I am not responsible—I may have knowledge, but I am not responsible for it, and I have nothing to add to what I have said.

Mr. Gaitskell

If the right hon. Gentleman divests himself of responsibility, may I ask the Prime Minister? I am sure that he will appreciate that the behaviour of Ministers in a matter of this kind is something which concerns the whole Government, and himself as Prime Minister. May I ask the Prime Minister to look into this and report to the House in due course?

Hon. Members

Answer.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

The right hon. Gentleman asks me to look into the matter, and I will, of course, inform the House.

Several Hon. Members rose

——

Mr. Speaker

It is past time.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to gave notice that I will raise it on the Adjournment.