HC Deb 01 February 1967 vol 740 cc488-9
15. Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will now publish a White Paper stating the Government's considered views on each of the guidelines to policy and detailed recommendations contained in the Plow-den Report.

Mr. Stonehouse

No, Sir. The House already knows that 16 of the 24 recommendations of the Plowden Committee have been accepted by us in full, six accepted in part and two rejected.

Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

As the Minister has not yet informed the House in detail as to which proposals are accepted, rather than just giving the score, will he now undertake to make this information available to the House before the debate which was adjourned this morning is resumed so that we can debate the question of the transfer of power on the basis of the knowledge of Government policy, rather than in ignorance of it?

Mr. Stonehouse

My predecessor gave full information on this point.

Mr. R. Carr

This really is not satisfactory. An inquiry was set up by the Government into one of our major industries, and it has produced a long Report. The Minister in office at the time talked about a considered statement being made on all those matters within a few weeks, and we have not yet had it. This is discourteous, both to the House and to Lord Plowden and his Committee.

Mr. Stonehouse

I believe that the House is very well aware of the major decisions which we have made arising out of this Committee's Report, and there is no necessity for yet another White Paper to be produced on it.