HC Deb 15 July 1958 vol 591 cc1005-7
48. Mr. V. Yates

asked the Prime Minister if he will move to appoint a Select Committee to consider the procedure relating to questions, particularly those relating to the day to day working of the nationalised industries.

50. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Prime Minister whether he will appoint a Select Committee to consider what changes are necessary to enable hon. Members to ask Questions on the activities of boards responsible for the administration of the nationalised industries and services.

51. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Prime Minister, having regard to the provisions of Section 42 of the Finance Act, 1956, as amended by the Nationalised Industries Loans Act, 1958, whether he will introduce legislation to assure that the contents of all communications, including notably letters, between Members of the House of Commons and Ministers of the Crown on any aspect of the administration, organisation, financing or otherwise of the nationalised industries and State Corporations, shall be absolutely privileged.

54. Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Prime Minister whether he will instruct Ministers who wish to pass the correspondence of hon. Members to outside sources for comment to seek the approval of the Member concerned before taking this action.

56 Mr. Woodburn

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether, to protect Members and their constituents in their duty to call attention to grievances and possible maladministration, he will direct that letters from Members of Parliament to Ministers be regarded as confidential and not disclosed to others without the Member's express agreement;

(2) whether he will introduce declaratory legislation to ensure that the disclosure of private correspondence from Members of Parliament to Ministers without the Member's consent is not subject to the Official Secrets Act;

(3) whether he will move for the appointment of a Select Committee to advice how the House can make it possible for Members to carry out their duties so far as constituents' grievances are concerned without incurring the risk of legal actions.

59. Mr. Hayman

asked the Prime Minister whether he will introduce legislation to amend the Ninth Article of the Bill of Rights.

The Prime Minister

My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House referred last Thursday to a discussion he was to have with you Mr. Speaker. I understand that that discussion has taken place and I hope that a statement can be made covering the points raised by some hon. Members at the earliest opportunity.

Mr. Yates

Whilst thanking the Prime Minister for that answer, may I ask him to bear in mind that, apart from whether or not letters are privileged, many hon. Members in this House much resent, and always have resented, that they have not been able to ask Questions about the nationalised industries on day-to-day affairs, thereby giving a monopoly to the nationalised industries which is quite undemocratic?

The Prime Minister

I think the House will feel that it would be better to have a statement dealing with all the points which have been raised, rather than for me to try to deal with them one by one.

Mr. Woodburn

In the meantime, will the Prime Minister give instructions to the various Departments that letters sent to them by hon. Members should be treated as confidential and not passed on to outsiders without the express consent of the Member concerned?

The Prime Minister

If they are marked "confidential" no doubt they will be treated as confidential, but I am not going to give a judgment as to what would be the legal effect of that.

Mr. Shinwell

What did the right hon. Gentleman mean by saying that a statement will be made at the earliest opportunity? Does this mean that a statement will be made before the Recess?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir, it is hoped to make it before the Recess.

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