§ 43. Mr. Liptonasked the Prime Minister when he will announce the names of the Royal Commission on the Press.
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing at present to add to what I said on 14th February.
§ Mr. LiptonIs not that a rather disappointing reply? Is the Prime Minister aware that the employees of Odhams, quite a number of whom are constituents of mine, strongly object to being bought and sold like livestock at the bidding of Press tycoons and that they are getting a little anxious about the continued delay in getting on with the job, first, of appointing a Royal Commission and, secondly, ensuring that it will report in the near future? Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any prospect of when he will be able to persuade these unwilling people to join the Royal Commission?
§ The Prime MinisterIt takes a little time to get the people I particularly want to get. As I have said before and as, I think, the House understands, the Royal Commission is not connected with this particular transaction.
§ Mr. WadeIs the Prime Minister in a positon to give any indication of the length of time that the deliberations of the Royal Commission will take? Is it his intention to confer with the chairman when appointed as to a possible timetable?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. I hope to make a statement as soon as I can.