HC Deb 03 March 1971 vol 812 cc1703-4
36. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Lord President of the Council when he intends to table resolutions concerning the Select Committee's report on Members' outside financial interests.

Mr. Whitelaw

I have nothing to add to what I told the hon. Member on 10th February.—[Vol. 811, c. 522.]

Mr. Hamilton

I am not surprised at that. Why is the right hon. Gentleman so coy in seeking to sweep under the carpet the implications and recommendations contained in this report? Does not he recognise that, in view of the fact that the Government are about to introduce commercial radio when we know that there are vested interests concerned with that on the benches opposite, proposing to sell off State pubs to private brewers who are also represented by interests on the benches opposite, and proposing to hive off certain profitable parts of the State-owned industries in which a number of hon. Gentlemen opposite are interested, it is increasingly important for the public to understand what those interests are?

Mr. Whitelaw

I do not accept all the premises of the hon. Gentleman's supple- mentary question. Having considered this matter very carefully, I think that there is widespread support in this House for the view that it is right to rely on the general good sense of hon. Members rather than on formalised rules. That is certainly the view of the Official Opposition, and I believe that it is the view of many right hon. and hon. Members.