HC Deb 29 March 1972 vol 834 cc418-9
22. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to publish the report of the working party inquiring into the rôle of youth and voluntary workers on the improvement of the environment.

Mr. Peter Walker

I intend to publish the reports of all four Stockholm Conference working parties in early May.

Mr. Hamilton

Is it not the case that the report specifically says about the Night Assemblies Bill currently in Committee that it is potentially oppressive? Is not this the reason why the right hon. Gentleman is not producing the report? Can he tell us how long it has been in his possession, and can he give us an assurance that he will publish it before the Night Assemblies Bill comes back to the House?

Mr. Walker

I am afraid that the hon. Member could not be more wrong. It was only this morning that my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Development quoted publicly the views of this report on the Night Assemblies Bill and announced that he was accepting proposals it was making.

Mr. Well beloved

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his right hon. Friend published to the Standing Committee this morning chapter 11 of the report and that the chapter refers to the Night Assemblies Bill as being a totally oppressive Measure? Would he give advice to his hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (Mr. Wiggin) that perhaps he should withdraw the Bill in order that the Department might put forward a code of practice and conduct as recommended in the working party's report?

Mr. Walker

I am pleased that the hon. Member has made it perfectly clear to his hon. Friend that in fact there was no attempt to suppress the report—absolutely none. On the contrary, a statement was made to the effect that it will be published at the appropriate time. The question about the Bill is altogether another question.