§ Motion made, and Question proposed,
§ That all Select Committees shall have power to authorise the Clerk of this House to supply copies of their Reports to officers of Government departments, to such witnesses who have given evidence to Committees or to their Sub-Committees as those Committees consider appropriate, to lobby journalists, and to such other Press representatives as the Committee think fit, after those Reports have been laid upon the Table but not more than forty-eight hours before the intended time of publication of such Reports.
§ That this Order be a Standing Order of the House.—[Mr. Peart.]
§ Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter (Kingston-upon-Thames)I wish, as Chairman of what is, I believe, our senior Select Committee, to support this proposal and to thank the right hon. Gentleman for bringing it forward. It makes a considerable improvement on the present rule to extend the time of circulation for the Press by 48 hours. Some of these Reports are difficult to master and, although the Press do a wonderful job in mastering them in the limited time available, I am sure that all concerned will get better treatment in 48 hours.
It is also important to have the provision whereby witnesses whose conduct may have been reflected on by a Select Committee can be given the same privilege. I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for bringing the proposal forward.
§ Question put and agreed to.