HC Deb 25 March 1965 vol 709 c750
The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Richard Marsh)

On a point of order. Yesterday, the right hon. and learned Member for Wirral (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd) referred to comments which I made in the Sunday Telegraph of 28th May, 1961. My remarks as reported in column 588 of yesterday's OFFICIAL REPORT are inaccurate in that I am reported as having said: I visited all three territories in the Central African Federation and took part in 35 meetings with various groups that included Sir Roy Welensky, Sir Edgar Whitehead, Mr. Kenneth Kaunda and others."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 24th March, 1965; Vol. 709, col. 588.] The whole point of these remarks was to support the argument that Members could travel on sponsored visits abroad and still insist on seeing those whose views were diametrically opposed to those of the people who were sponsoring the visit. Because of this, I desire to bring to your attention, Mr. Speaker, the fact that the right hon. and learned Gentleman correctly quoted me as saying that: I visited all three territories in the Central African Federation and took part in 35 meetings with various groups that included Sir Roy Welensky, Sir Edgar Whitehead, Mr. Kenneth Kaunda and political prisoners at Marrendalas. This may seem a small matter, but the whole point of the argument was that I had seen both sides.

Mr. Speaker

I thank the hon. Gentleman. The requisite correction will be made. He will appreciate that it is sometimes difficult to hear Members, particularly when they are quoting.