§ Mr. PowellOn a point of order. May I ask if you will direct that the OFFICIAL REPORT for yesterday should be corrected? In column 617 in the statement of the Secretary of State for Defence on Leslie Parkes he is there recorded as saying:
His commanding officer has formally dismissed the charge of desertion made against him.The word "formally", though it occurred in the typescript of the right hon. Gentleman's statement, which was courteously provided to the Opposition, had been deleted in the typescript, and was not pronounced by the right hon. Gentleman. Therefore, as the OFFICIAL REPORT is a report of what was actually said and not of what at some previous time it might have been intended to say, may I ask you if you will give a direction that the word "formally" be expunged from the record?
§ Mr. SpeakerI am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for being so courteous as 827 to let me know this morning that he proposed to raise this matter. I have looked into it, and the facts are as the right hon. Gentleman has stated. In the original typescript the word "formally" occurred. The Minister decided to delete it, but unfortunately the reporter, in checking the typescript with what was said, put in the word "formally", although "formally" was not said. That correction will be made.
I think that the House would want me to take this opportunity of saying how much we are satisfied with the patient and diligent work of HANSARD under very great difficulties. I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman.