HC Deb 30 January 1984 vol 53 cc12-4
32. Mr. Janner

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will take steps to ensure that, wherever practicable, statements on Government policy on matters of public concern are made orally to the House.

The Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. John Biffen)

The Government are always mindful of their responsibility to keep the House properly informed, and oral statements will, where appropriate, continue to be used for this purpose.

Mr. Janner

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that following assurances given to the House by the Prime Minister and the Minister for Health that a statement on Government policy would be made, a written answer was given instead and the Ministers concerned gave their statements on behalf of the Government to the press upstairs in this building? Bearing in mind that the Minister for Health assured the House, no doubt inadvertently, that copies of the answer were available to hon. Members at that time, which was incorrect, so that the House was misled, will the right hon. Gentleman apologise to the House on behalf of the Government and the Minister and give an assurance that that sort of absolute scandal will not recur?

Mr. Biffen

On the first part of the hon. and learned Gentleman's question, statements are frequently made in the written rather than the oral form. That has always been the practice, and I have no reason to believe that it will be otherwise in future. On the second part of the question, I will look at the hon. and learned Gentleman's detailed allegations and write to him.

Mr. Sims

Will my right hon. Friend occasionally lift the veil of secrecy which seems to surround impending statements in the House? He is good enough to tell us on a Thursday the business for the following week and he sometimes tells us weeks in advance when we can expect the Budget statement, but we normally get only two or three hours' notice of ministerial statements, and then only if we are in the House at lunchtime. Obviously some ministerial statements have to be made at short notice, but others are prepared well in advance. It would be helpful to hon. Members if we could have a little more notice of them.

Mr. Biffen

The code of practice that we adopt has been followed over many Parliaments, but I will look at the matters raised by my hon. Friend.

Mr. Maxton

Is the Lord Privy Seal aware that on many occasions Ministers in Departments covering England and Wales make statements in the House and are questioned on them, but the equivalent statement for Scotland is made by the Secretary of State to the press in Scotland? Will he ensure that the Secretary of State for Scotland always makes an equivalent statement in the House?

Mr. Biffen

No, I cannot give that undertaking. If this causes material dissatisfaction, I am sure that it can be pursued through the usual channels.

Mr. Stanbrook

Is there prior consultation with the Minister responsible for the co-ordination of Government information before oral statements are made? Would not such consultation have helped to avoid the gaff made by the Foreign Secretary in his statement about GCHQ last week?

Mr. Biffen

Ministers are primarily responsible for the statements that they make in the House. Any prior consultation is that which is considered appropriate.

Mr. Wilson

Does the Leader of the House not realise that he is a usual channel of communication in relation to statements? Will he note the points that have been made about the exasperation of Scottish Members'? The Secretary of State for Scotland is a bad offender in the making of surreptitious written replies.

Mr. Biffen

I do not accept those comments about my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. I gave a measured and serious reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Maxton).

Mr. Pavitt

It is well known that often important statements are made in reply to inspired written questions. Will the Leader of the House make arrangements at Cabinet level with all his colleagues to ensure that, because these statements are known at least 24 hours beforehand, they are issued through the usual channels to Opposition spokesmen?

Mr. Biffen

I have no reason to believe that there will be much merit in disturbing a long-established and existing practice; but I shall bear in mind what the hon. Gentleman said.

Mr. Skinner

Notwithstanding all the other requests made to him on this matter, will the Leader of the House deal with one specific question? Will he ask the Prime Minister to make a statement on how much her son got out of the Cementation deal in Oman?

Mr. Biffen

The hon. Gentleman is trying hard, but I am afraid I cannot add to the reply that I have already given to the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner).