§ 42. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Lord President of the Council when he intends to initiate legislation on the question of the declaration of Members' outside interests.
§ Mr. PeartAs my hon. Friend will be aware, a Select Committee was set up last Session by the House to examine our practices in this regard, and a Motion proposing its reconstitution this Session appears in this morning's Order Paper. We should, I think, await their report before considering any question of legislation.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs my right hon. Friend aware that I am very glad to see that Motion on the Order Paper today, but, in view of the fact that the Prime Minister is on record about the desirability of legislation in this matter, will my right hon. Friend give an undertaking that when the committee reports the Government will not hesitate to deal with this matter, which is of considerable urgency?
§ Mr. PeartI accept this. The Prime Minister has made a statement on this. I am not committing myself to legislation in any way. One must await the report, which it will be important for the House to consider.