Minister without Portfolio

HC Deb 20 January 1964 vol 687 c685

3. Mr. Lipton

asked the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on his official activities during the past year.

Mr. Deedes

No, Sir.

Mr. Lipton

Is not that answer all the more suspicious, in view of the fact that I wanted to ask the Minister on what official activities he was engaged on 17th October last and whether he or someone else in the Government information services told the Press who the new Prime Minister was going to be long before certain of his Cabinet colleagues knew about it? Is this not a grave reflection on the integrity of the Government information services, especially in view of accusations that news management can be taken too far?

Mr. Deedes

No, Sir. I do not at all accept the implication of that question.

Mr. Lipton

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.