§ 4. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the Government's reply to the Foreign Affairs Committee's third report of Session 1984–85 on the events surrounding the weekend of 1 and 2 May 1982.
§ Mr. DalyellBefore putting their signature to their response to the Select Committee's report, did Ministers know of the first and more truthful draft of Sir John Nott's speech on 4 May 1982, talking about "attacking" rather than "detecting"? If they did not know, are we to believe that the efficient civil servants of the Foreign Office did not show it to them, and, if they did know, are they not misleading the Select Committee?
§ Mr. LathamWho cares?
§ Mr. EggarAs one of the hon. Gentleman's hon. Friends says, "Who cares?". Ministers knew, and the officials did not mislead Ministers.
§ Sir Anthony KershawIs my hon. Friend aware that if, as a result of the events of 1 and 2 May that year, a big British ship had gone down, which the Argentines were doing their best to effect, he would find it much more difficult to answer this question? Secondly, will he bear in mind that the allegations that the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) has been making are totally disproved by the evidence? Finally, will he do what he can to see that the hon. Gentleman stops making such a thumping ass of himself?
§ Mr. EggarI thank my hon. Friend for his comments. I regret that I and others will probably go on trying to help the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) without success.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursWho said "Who cares"?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. The Minister referred—
§ Mr. SpeakerNo.