§ 26. Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what capacity the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster addressed the European Parliament on 15th March.
§ Mr. John DaviesAs I made clear in my speech, I was speaking in my capacity as a British Minister, and expressing the views of Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. CunninghamIn that case, why did the right hon. Gentleman tell his Conservative colleagues in Strasbourg that he had altered the views he expressed to take some account of the views of the rest of the Council of Ministers? Is it to be the practice that British national representatives in Community institutions will alter the British view in order to compromise in advance with the views of the people with whom they are negotiating?
§ Mr. DaviesI recognise the Press report to which the hon. Gentleman is referring. It proves once again that even the Press can be wrong and can erroneously report what is said.