§ Q1. Mr. Tim Rentonasked the Prime Minister what further progress he is making with regard to preparing and submitting his evidence to the Royal Commission on the Press.
§ Q7. Mr. Wyn Robertsasked the Prime Minister what further progress he has made in the preparation of his evidence for the Royal Commission on the Press.
§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Edward Short)In the absence of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in Moscow for talks with Soviet leaders, I have been asked to reply.
I have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Conway (Mr. Roberts) on 16th January.
§ Mr. RentonThat reply comes as no surprise to me, but it is now five months since the Prime Minister made serious allegations against the Press. How does the Lord President of the Council justify the Prime Minister's continued failure to substantiate those accusations?
§ Mr. ShortMy right hon. Friend will submit his evidence to the Royal Commission. He is still awaiting some information, as he told the hon. Gentleman previously. As soon as the information is to hand, he will submit his evidence.
§ Mr. MoonmanOn a more serious note, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that, since a considerable amount of time has already elapsed, perhaps there is a case for an interim report from the Royal Commission, possibly in September? Will he also convey our good wishes to the new Chairman of the Commission?
§ Mr. ShortI am delighted that Professor MacGregor has taken over the job. There is nothing to prevent the Royal Commission from submitting an interim report if it wishes to do so.