HC Deb 16 December 1965 vol 722 cc1454-5
Q2. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Prime Minister how many of his recorded official telephone conversations have been published during the last year; and on how many occasions the other party to the conversation was first consulted.

Mr. George Brown

I have been asked to reply.

As has already been explained, a record was kept of the very important telephone conversation which took place between my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and the then Prime Minister of Rhodesia on the morning of the 11th of November last. After the illegal declaration of independence copies of the record were put in the Libraries of both Houses and made available to the Press. Mr. Smith was not consulted for obvious reasons. The occasion was unique.

Mr. Wingfield Digby

As the recording of important telephone conversations is fairly common practice, is it not important that there should be clear rules as to when they are published in order to have full confidence in future in telephone conversations and to ensure that they are outspoken if necessary?

Mr. Brown

I think that it would have been a sad omission on somebody's part if no record had been kept of that very important conversation.

Mr. Heath

As the right hon. Gentleman says that the occasion was unique, does he give an undertaking that there will be no publication in future?

Mr. Brown

I meant no more than I said, and I doubt whether, on consideration, the right hon. Gentleman would want to go any further.