HC Deb 28 November 1974 vol 882 cc619-20
Q3. Mr. Blaker

asked the Prime Minister on what subjects he proposes to give evidence to the Royal Commission on the Press.

The Prime Minister

My evidence will be relevant to a number of the matters covered in the Royal Commission's terms of reference.

Mr. Blaker

The Prime Minister will recall that on 12th November he told the House that he would be giving evidence to the Royal Commission about the allegations he made against the Press and journalists during the election campaign. He said at that time that many of the facts were being inquired into by the police. Will he specify what incidents are being inquired into by the police?

The Prime Minister

I said—indeed, I volunteered it before the House met after the election—that I would provide for the Royal Commission all the evidence at my disposal. It would not be appropriate to say exactly what the police are inquiring into, but there is a considerable amount of information which will be made available to the Royal Commission at the right time.

Mr. Moonman

Despite what the hon. Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Blaker) has said, the Royal Commission was set up to deal with many important matters affecting the organisation and variety of newspapers in this country. Will my right hon. Friend give some indication whether a preliminary report will be made available, because the full report will take a considerable time?

The Prime Minister

This matter was discussed during our debate on the Press six or seven months ago. We felt that it was for the Royal Commission to decide whether, in view of the urgency of many problems affecting the Press, it should produce a fairly speedy report on at least a certain part of its field. But during the debate on the Press, which was extremely constructive, the principal problems affecting the Press in the minds of right hon. and hon. Members on both sides of the House were outlined.

Mr. Peyton

The Prime Minister said that he would make the information available "at the right time". What makes now the wrong time?

The Prime Minister

The right time will be agreed between the Royal Commission and myself. It has asked to be presented by the end of the year or shortly afterwards with the evidence of all people who have evidence to give. However, as I have made clear, there are certain inquiries going on which may make the evidence which I had in mind even more valuable to the Royal Commission. I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman cannot wait to see it.