HC Deb 22 January 1969 vol 776 cc484-5
35. Mr. Lipton

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he has received a copy of the invitation issued by the National Association of Bookmakers to luncheons to be held in the House of Commons on Thursday, 23rd January, and Monday, 27th January; and whether he will make a statement.

The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Fred Peart)

I understand that inadvertently these invitations did not bear the sponsoring Member's name. The error is regretted and apologies have been made.

Mr. Lipton

In future, will my right hon. Friend see that, when any outside body seeks to make use of the refreshment facilities of this House, the rule is observed that the name of the hon. Member sponsoring the function shall appear on the invitations?

Mr. Peart

I accept that. However, in this case the error is regretted, and apologies have been made, so perhaps I might leave it at that.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

Mr. Speaker, as the sponsoring hon. Member, may I apologise to you, to my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House and to the appropriate Committee and explain that I acted quite correctly? However, the organising association, which lacked knowledge and experience, omitted in the first instance to put my name on the invitation. The omission was immediately rectified, and apologies have been sent. I asked my hon. Friend the Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) to discuss the matter with me. I wish that he had.

Mr. Peart

I accept that. My hon. Friend the Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) is quite right. Immediately the inadvertent error was noticed, apologies were made.