HC Deb 09 May 1962 vol 659 c431
24. Mr. Wigg

asked the Minister of Defence what steps he proposes to take to amend Paragraph 1 of Command Paper No. 1666, Service Pay and Pensions, published in March, 1962, so that the reference to the Government White Paper isued in November, 1958, reads (Cmd. 570) and not as stated.

Mr. Watkinson

I regret that the reference was made to the Report of the Advisory Committee on Recruiting Cmd. 545 and not to the Government's comments thereon Cmd. 570. A corrigendum slip was issued at the time.

Mr. Wigg

I notice that the Minister smiles. Does he take it that an inaccurate reference in a major State document is something of no account?

Mr. Watkinson

I smiled because I hoped that the hon. Gentleman was going to allow me to thank him for keeping an eye on my Ministry while I was out of the country.

Mr. Wigg

I much appreciate that acknowledgment, but that conveys that it is necessary for me to do so.

Mr. Watkinson

It also conveys that I think that the hon. Gentleman was also at fault in his question as I was perhaps on the original occasion.