HC Deb 18 June 1986 vol 99 cc1031-2
6. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings his predecessor, the right hon. and learned Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Brittan) had with officials on the morning of 24 January in relation to the Westlands affair; what was the purpose of the meetings; and what conclusions were reached as to the action his predecessor should take.

Mr. Pattie

My right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Brittan) held several meetings on the morning of 24 January. Some of these related to Westland, and some were attended by officials. His meetings on Westland were held to inform himself of latest developments.

Mr. Dalyell

Is it conceivable that civil servants of the quality and integrity of Sir Brian Hayes would have advised the then Secretary of State to remain in office if they had thought that the full story had been one of deception by their Secretary of State of their Prime Minister and of themselves for over a fortnight? Is it not clear from Linklater and Leigh in "Not with Honour" and from other information that the strands of the spider's web led to No. 10 Downing street? Is not the lawyer's letter the real reason why the House did not have Friday 6 June?

Mr. Pattie

The hon. Gentleman will know that all questions relating to advice offered by an official to a Minister are confidential. Any matters that he cares to deduce from the book that he has mentioned or any other work is entirely a matter for him.

Mr. John Smith

Is the Minister aware that in the book to which my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) referred, while it is said that civil servants counselled the former Secretary of State, the right hon. and learned Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Brittan), to stay, the politicians present, who presumably included the Minister, gave contrary advice? Was that contrary advice — namely, that the former Secretary of State should resign — coloured by their knowledge of the machinations which had gone on both in the Department of Trade and Industry and at Downing street over the discreditable Westland affair?

Mr. Pattie

As it happens, I was chairing a seminar in the lower parts of the Department at that time. Therefore, I am unable to speculate on any of the reasons that any of my colleagues might have had for the statements that they made.