HC Deb 26 April 1971 vol 816 cc44-7
Mr. Roy Jenkins

On a point of order. Mr. Speaker. May I ask the Leader of the House when we may expect a further statement about the Vehicle and General matter? It must surely be the Government's view that last Thursday's statement in no way quietened public anxiety; on the contrary, it greatly increased it. There is some surprise that there is no statement today. Can we at least have an assurance that there will be a statement tomorrow touching grave matters of public concern far wider than the prosecution—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—and touching the question of the Government's administration, and of the protection of the policyholders, which was not done? Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us when he will be able to say that a Select Committee—because I think that nothing else will satisfy public disquiet—on this matter will be announced?

The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. William Whitelaw)

It would not be for me to follow the right hon. Gentleman in some of his remarks other than to say that I am grateful to him for having raised the subject and, I hope, enabled me to give some assurance to the House. I understand that my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General has not yet completed his inquiries but hopes to do so in the very near future. As soon as he has done so and has made his decision about a possible criminal prosecution, I undertake that a further statement will be made immediately to the House.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that there are matters far wider than the question of a criminal prosecution, matters which surely there can be no question of the Attorney-General investigating, such as the competence of Ministers. Will he say when a statement about this is to be made to the House?

Mr. Whitelaw

I understand the right hon. Gentleman's point. I made the assurance perfectly clear. The point to establish is whether or not there is to be a possible criminal prosecution. I have undertaken that that will be decided in the very near future and that immediately thereafter a statement will be made to the House. I do not anticipate that it will be very long before that statement is made.

Mr. Gordon Walker

I hope that the right hon. Gentleman is not suggesting that a prosecution, by the rule of sub judice, would rule out a very great many questions which we need to have settled in the House. Is it not very important that it should be made clear, for instance, when the Prime Minister was first informed of the leak and of the institution of police inquiries into it?

Mr. Whitelaw

If I am to answer the question, I am not making any such suggestions. All I am saying is that before a further statement should be made it is right that, first, one should see whether or not a prosecution is to be undertaken.

Mr. Speaker

Strictly, this was not a point of order, but I allowed the right hon. Gentleman to put the question. The right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the House has made a statement. I cannot allow a debate on that statement now.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Will the Leader of the House assure us that he, or someone else, will not come to the House in the near future and say that a prosecution has been started and that the matter is sub judice and, therefore, try to pretend that the other much wider question cannot be discussed?

Mr. Whitelaw

I think that the right hon. Gentleman will feel on reflection that that is a slightly unworthy suggestion as to what I have been saying. I have been doing my very best from the start to make absolutely clear to the House that my interest is to ensure that this House should have the fullest possible information at the earliest possible moment. I wish to make that absolutely clear. I am saying no such thing. I am saying only that the right course is first to establish whether or not a prosecution is to be made. Irrespective of what decision is made in that matter, I undertake that a further statement will be made to the House as soon as possible. I thought that I had made that clear in the first instance.

Mr. Carter rose—

Mr. Speaker

I must ask the hon. Gentleman not to put the Chair in difficulty in this matter. This is not really a point of order but discussion of the business of the House. It is appropriate to a Thursday. I allowed the right hon. Gentleman because I thought that it would be to the convenience of the House. But we cannot have a debate now. Mr. Arthur Lewis.

Mr. Carter

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is the Leader of the House aware that since last Thursday I have received upwards of 100 telephone calls, some of which contained the most wild and speculative rumours concerning the leak? How can the House have any confidence in the remarks of the Leader of the House—

Hon. Members

Sit down.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I have allowed the point of order—perhaps I may regret having allowed it—because it related to the business of the House. I cannot have any discussion now about the merits. It is a question of when a statement should be made and in what circumstances.

Mr. English

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I address the point to you and not to the Leader of the House.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I called Mr. Arthur Lewis for a point of order.