HC Deb 06 December 1972 vol 847 cc1310-2
Mr. Healey

Mr. Speaker, you may have noticed that in columns 1131 and 1132 of yesterday's HANSARD the Chancellor of the Exchequer quoted, and he said with authorisation, the advice which he had received from the Chairman of the Board of Customs and Excise on two matters of current political controversy, one of which fell outside the direct responsibilities of the Customs and Excise. The right hon. Gentleman later told us that the quotations were made from notes which he had personally made of a conversation with Sir Louis Patch. I make no comment on the content of the quotation, although it gave an impression very different from that given by a statement obtained from the staff association of the Customs and Excise today.

I should be grateful, Mr. Speaker, if tomorrow you would rule on the following questions. First, is the Treasury Minister free to quote what he wishes out of context from any advice on any issue received from an official of the Customs and Excise without laying on the Table a full record of the conversation or other context within which these quotations were made?

Secondly, if it is in order, are hon. Members free to table Questions to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on any advice which he may have received from the Customs and Excise?

Thirdly, is it in order for the appropriate Select Committee of this House to invite the Chairman of the Board of Customs and Excise to give evidence of the attitude of the Customs and Excise towards value added tax—its attitude in the past and its attitude today?

Finally, if all those matters are in order, how far do these liberties extend? Do they permit any Minister to quote advice received, for example, from the Under-Secretary of a Government Department on any issue or the Secretary of State for Defence to quote advice received from chiefs of staff on any matter within his purview. Does it extend to subordinates of the heads of departments and Government bodies, and, if so, down to what level?

I should be grateful, and the House would be grateful, if, Mr. Speaker, you would rule on these questions, perhaps tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker

The right hon. Gentleman has raised some interesting questions. I should like time to consider them and I will rule, if necessary, tomorrow.