HC Deb 23 April 1964 vol 693 cc1513-4
Mr. Bowles

On a point of order. As I mentioned to you this morning, Mr. Speaker, I handed in a Question yesterday as follows: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, now that Gordon Lonsdale has been released, what is to be the future of the other persons sentenced to prison at the same time. In today's 'Notices of Questions I see that Question No. 103 reads: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the fact that Gordon Lonsdale has been released, what negotiations he has had with the Soviet Government regarding the future of the other persons who were sentenced to prison at the same time. Since the Foreign Secretary had arranged the, release of Lonsdale and Wynne, I thought that my Question should be addressed to him. This serious alteration, made in the Table Office, which is always so helpful to all of us—I want to emphasise that—makes nonsense, in suggesting that the Foreign Secretary might have had negotiations with the Soviet Government about people in British gaols who are not Russians. I just wanted to know what was likely to happen to the others now that the apparent ringleader is out. I am grateful to you 'or allowing me to put this question this afternoon. I shall make the necessary alteration later today.

Mr. Speaker

The House will be grateful to the hon. Member, as I am, for what he has said about the splendid service that we get from our Officers. I have written to the hon. Member about the Question. There is a genuine misunderstanding here about what the hon. Member's wishes were. I have taken steps to see that the right correction is made so that the Question will go down precisely in the words that the hon. Member wished.

Mr. Bowles

I am very grateful indeed, Mr. Speaker.