HC Deb 16 January 1986 vol 89 c1239
Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Edinburgh, East (Mr. Strang) has been very patient. Would he like to put his point of order briefly? I think that I can help him.

Mr. Gavin Strang (Edinburgh, East)

I am grateful, Mr. Speaker. Further to the point of order which I broached immediately after Prime Minister's Question Time. When I checked my speech in Hansard this morning I noticed the quotation, referred to in column 1150, which I quoted from the question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) on Monday. I am reported as having quoted from his quotation as follows: whether the Government had received a letter from".—[Official Report, 15 January 1986; Vol. 89, c. 1150.] My recollection is that I quoted more extensively— whether the Government had received a letter from the chairman"— and went on to say, who is Sir Austin Pearce". I want to draw the attention of the House to this because of its crucial significance. I believe that the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry was consciously deceiving the House, and it is important that——

Mr. Speaker

Order. I do not think the hon. Gentleman would wish to say "consciously".

Mr. Strang

I withdraw that. I do not wish to prolong this, Mr. Speaker, but I hope you will address yourself to what I think is an important correction to the substance of my speech.

Mr. Speaker

If I have this right the hon. Gentleman wishes Hansard to correct the quotation to read, whether the Government had received a letter from the chairman", and to add, who is Sir Austin Pearce. I will arrange for that to be done.