HC Deb 04 August 1966 vol 733 cc679-80
Q2. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of recent developments, he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the practicability and desirability of instituting an official register of hon. Members' pecuniary interests in and emoluments received from outside groups.

The Prime Minister

I do not think this would be appropriate, Sir.

Mr. Hamilton

Why does my right hon. Friend not think it appropriate? Is it not the case that such a register would demonstrate the relative lack of corruption in British politics? Is it not an absurd anomaly that local councillors cannot discuss council house rents if they live in council houses, but directors, managing directors, and chairmen of companies can vote their firms and their industries millions of £s of public money by declaring an interest and being allowed to vote in this House?

The Prime Minister

I think that the incorruptibility of the British Parliament is widely recognised all over the world, whether there is such a register or not. I think that the only problem which has arisen from time to time, and it has been debated and discussed, is the need for hon. Members on both sides of the House to know, if they are approached by another hon. Member, or entertained by him, whether he has any particular interest on the public relations side. I think that a great deal has been done to improve that situation, so that Members are not accosted unawares.

Sir R. Cary

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is something indelicate, improper, and impertinent in this Question, implying as it does that association with a union, a company, or an institution outside this House is wrong and improper?

The Prime Minister

I am sure that there were no indelicate, improper and impertinent thoughts in the mind of my hon. Friend.

Everyone knows the great expertise which the hon. Gentleman has shown in our debates. I have heard him many times on the question of road passenger haulage, and he has had the satisfaction of seeing this Government introduce the principle of a refund on bus fares in connection with oil duties for which he pressed so unsuccessfully for so many years before we came to power.

Mr. William Price

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that his reply will cause concern on this side of the House? Does he not realise that many of us are becoming sick of hearing some Members, on both sides of the House, attacking other people's pay rises, when they themselves are enjoying vast sums of non-corruptible income, very often from more than one source? May we have a little less hypocrisy, and a little more honesty?

The Prime Minister

I am not responsible for what hon. Members in any part of the House may say about pay rises, but, since my hon. Friend is so well informed on the financial status of hon. Members who make these speeches, I do not think that it is necessary to have a register.

Sir G. Nabarro

While dissociating myself from the impurities alleged by my hon. Friend, may I ask whether the Prime Minister would agree that useful progress could be made in this matter if the financial subventions of Members of this House acting on behalf of and with trades unions were publicly declared?

Hon. Members

They are.

The Prime Minister

I think that one of the basic facts of the political situation, particularly in regard to trade union relations with the Labour Party and the Parliamentary Labour Party on the one hand and the business affiliations of the Conservative Party on the other, is that the facts are all known about the Labour Party. They are not known with regard to the Conservative Party.

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