HC Deb 26 January 1977 vol 924 cc1513-6
Mr. Crouch

On a different point of order, Mr. Speaker, I return to the subject of industrial democracy on which the Secretary of State for Trade has been questioned for 40 minutes. I am glad that the Leader of the House is here to hear my point of order.

My point of order concerns the important matter of a statement relating to the Bullock Report, which has been promised to us for so long and which seems to have been read intimately in Fleet Street and by radio and Press commentators before it came near this House. This puts Back Benchers at a grave disadvantage when we face the Secretary of State, who has had the document in his hands for six or eight weeks. He has been able to study and discuss the report with the members of the Bullock Committee. It is a matter of importance that the representatives of the people in this House are not in a position to put questions to the right hon. Gentleman based on a study in depth of this document because of its late publication to Members of the House. We know that some hon. Members—not only on the Treasury Bench—have had sight of the document beforehand. I heard it reported this morning, for example, that the Leader of the Liberal Party had a copy before this morning began. Hon. Members will be unable to serve their constituents and special interests if we are put at such a disadvantage.

Mr. Tim Renton

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. I support what my hon. Friend the Member for Canterbury (Mr. Crouch) has just said. In recent weeks it seemed that the world was divided into those who had read the Bullock Report and those who had not. Most of the world had read it. The few who had not were Members of Parliament. Bearing in mind that it was a report commissioned by the Government, it seems to have been the best-leaked report in history.

I appreciate, Mr. Speaker, that this afternoon you allowed the discussion to go on rather longer than usual, but many hon. Members who wished to catch your eye were still unsuccessful. I believe that this may be the most important matter that we shall discuss this year, and it would be very helpful if we could know whether we shall have an opportunity to discuss the report further before legislation is brought forward.

Mr. David Price

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. This subject raises a point of general interest. Many of us feel embarrassed when documents like this are released on a time embargo to the Press—which no doubt honours the embargo—yet Members are not invited to join in that confidence. If the Press can be relied upon to honour an embargo, surely hon. Members could be similarly relied upon. This has never been tested. Might I suggest that an attempt should be made to put hon. Members on the same trust as the Press?

Mr. Robert Hughes

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I reinforce what has been said about the embargo position? It is embarrassing to Back Benchers to be telephoned by members of the Press and to be asked to make comments on a report which Back Benchers have not seen but which the Press has had for perhaps two or three days. I hope, Mr. Speaker, that you will be able to do something to cure this longstanding grievance in the House.

Mr. Emery

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Very shortly—

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Emery—very shortly.

Mr. Emery

. There are times when the Government have to make statements and when, clearly, the House must accept that it is impossible for it to be given advance information, but when there is a published document of this nature why cannot it be made available to the House at least two or two and a half hours before the statement is made? It is not a matter of publication. It is a matter of policy, and it is that policy which I hope can be considered.

Mr. Cyril Smith

Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I draw attention to the fact that coupled with the report a detailed document was circulated to the Press? This document by the Department virtually summarised the findings of the Bullock Report for the benefit of the Press so that the Press might easily write about it and understand it.

I have had the benefit within the last two hours of seeing a copy of that Press handout. It would have been extremely useful to hon. Members to have had that document, because there is no summary of the recommendations in the report itself. Would it be possible for you, Mr. Speaker, to urge Government Ministers to ensure that any Press handouts on such reports are made available to Members of the House?

Mr. Speaker

The best way in which I can serve the House is by saying that I am well aware, as is every hon. Member of the House, of the long-standing problem. The Leader of the House has heard what has been said—I rather fancy that he is trying to catch my eye—and he may, further to that point of order, be able to say something.

The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Michael Foot)

Further to the point of order, Mr. Speaker. It is the case that this question has been raised on a number of previous occasions in the House. It involves the relationship between the House of Commons and members of the Press. We had discussions on this subject a month or so ago. In the main, we have sustained the practice followed by previous Administrations and by previous Governments, and there are good grounds for the way in which this is arranged. However, if representations are made that we should look at the practice afresh I shall do so, but I assure hon. Members that the matter has been considered by Ministers in different Governments over a long period and that it is not easy to devise a different system.