HC Deb 22 January 1958 vol 580 cc1051-2
46. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech made by the Lord Privy Seal at Felstead on 7th January, on the financial and economic situation, represented the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Will the Deputy Prime Minister say whether he is here today in his capacity as Mr. Hyde or Dr. Jekyll? Does he recollect that, according to the Daily Express, in this speech the Lord Privy Seal pounded the table and talked about a split in the Tory Party following the resignation of three Ministers and that, on the same day, the Prime Minister referred to them as "little local differences". Which version are we to accept?

Mr. Butler

In my case, as I was in my own locality—that is, my constituency—I was handling the matter in, I thought, a most statesmanlike manner, trying to explain to my constituents the many-sidedness of truth.