HC Deb 20 April 1959 vol 604 cc24-5
37. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Minister of Supply what arrangements he proposes to make for honourable Members to visit the microbiological research station at Porton.

Mr. Aubrey Jones

The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee has accepted an invitation to visit this Establishment on 29th of this month. Places are available for honourable Members who are not members of the Committee.

Mr. Mason

Can the Minister tell the House how many hon. Members will attend? Is it not a fact that the majority of the members of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee are not hon. Members, and that it is very unfair, when a large party is going, that very few hon. Members should be allotted places?

Mr. Jones

I think that the size of the party is 30, 25 being members of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. How many of the 25 are hon. Members I do not know, but there are, in addition five places available to hon. Members who do not happen to be members of the Committee.

Mr. Hughes

As I have asked very many Questions over a large number of years of a large number of Ministers on this subject, will the Minister give a guarantee that I will get a place?

Mr. Jones

I am quite sure that the hon. Gentleman will know that the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, through its chairman, will give most sympathetic consideration to his request.

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