HC Deb 22 July 1970 vol 804 cc512-3
7. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of all insurance companies which made political contributions in 1968 and 1969, respectively, indicating amounts paid and to which political organisation.

Mr. Noble

I have no information for 1969. For 1968, the hon. Member will find the information he is seeking in Volume 3, No. 1 of "Economic Brief", published by the Labour Party.

Mr. Hamilton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that those figures will probably be more accurate than the figures which he would provide? When can these companies expect the pay-off from this Government?

Mr. Noble

I do not think that any company or trade union necessarily expects a pay-off. They want a good Government.

Sir H. Harrison

Would my right hon. Friend agree that this continual sniping at insurance companies is unnecessary as they contribute so much to our invisible export trade?

Mr. Mason

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman would try to bring the league table of principal Tory donors up to date to show whether the performance of the bankers and brewers, who between them gave £250,000 to the Tory Party last year, can be bettered?

Mr. Noble

My predecessor in office did not think that it was a suitable use of officials' time and of public funds to produce a report and do a job which was, no doubt excellently, done by the paper to which I have referred.