HC Deb 14 July 1969 vol 787 cc37-8
Mr. Arthur Lewis

On a point of order. I gave notice on Friday that I wished to make a correction to HANSARD. Should I raise it now, Mr. Speaker, or later?

Mr. Speaker

Now.

Mr. Lewis

May I draw your attention, Sir, to an inaccuracy in HANSARD last Thursday, in col. 312? I asked the Prime Minister whether he would make a statement on salary increases to higher-paid civil servants. That was for oral reply on Thursday.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister replied: I have nothing at present to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 19th June.—[Vol. 783, c. 145.] [OFFICIAL REPORT, 10th July, 1969; Vol. 786, c. 312.] I do not want to complain that that is a deliberate twist, in view of what happened on Friday, when a statement was made, but Vol. 783 refers to the Post Office debate and has nothing to do with the Plowden Committee on the Civil Service. I assume that the reference should have been Vol. 785, c. 145. The rest of the Answer is still inaccurate, but that I accept.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis) has complained that the Prime Minister replied in a Written Answer at c. 312 that he had nothing to add at present to the Answer which he gave to his hon. Friend on 19th June.

I find that, in a Written Answer on 19th June at c. 145, the Prime Minister said that the Government were considering the matter. If, earlier, they were considering it, on Thursday they had nothing to add, and on the 11th, the day after, they made a decision, that is not a reason for correcting HANSARD.

Mr. Lewis

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. All that the hon. Gentleman is saying is that he is dissatisfied with the Prime Minister's Answer. That has happened throughout history.

Mr. Lewis

With respect, Mr. Speaker, if you look at Vol. 783, you will find that it is concerned with the Post Office. The reference should be to Vol. 785. That is the correction which I am trying to make. The reference is to the wrong volume.

Mr. Speaker

I am so grateful. I had looked at the date only. I did not imagine that we were going back through past history. The necessary correction in the volume number will be made.