HC Deb 03 March 1958 vol 583 cc836-7
47. Mr. Lipton

asked the Prime Minister what deputations he has received, or decided to receive, to discuss the effects of the Rent Act, 1957.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)

I have been asked to reply.

My right hon. Friend is not prepared to give details of communications which he may have with his hon. Friends—if that is what the hon. Gentleman means.

Mr. Lipton

How does the right hon. Gentleman know what I mean until I have spoken about it? Are we to assume from that reply that the only deputation that the Prime Minister will receive on the subject is from some of his hon. Friends? If not, why is he ashamed to admit the fact?

Mr. Butler

No. My right hon. Friend is ashamed to admit nothing. He is not prepared to give details of his correspondence or his communications with his hon. Friends or the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. H. Morrison

While agreeing with the right hon. Gentleman that the Prime Minister is not ashamed to admit anything—[An HON. MEMBER: "Nothing."]—is not my hon. Friend's question reasonable? He has asked the Prime Minister what deputation has been received or he has decided to receive. He does not say anything about the Minister's hon. Friends. Why does the Home Secretary deliberately get near to an untruth about the Question and misrepresent it with a view to not giving the answer? Is not the House entitled to know what deputations the Prime Minister has received or may receive?

Mr. Butler

No. I have no further information to give the House on this matter.