HC Deb 30 April 1987 vol 115 c409
Q2. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Prime Minister if she will acquire for the library of No. 10 Downing street a video recording of the Granada TV programme "World in Action" on the Law Officers' letter in the Westland affair, broadcast between 8 and 9 pm on Monday 30 March.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir.

Mr. Dalyell

May I ask the Prime Minister a question of fact which has not been put to her and which she has had no opportunity to answer? Is it, or is it not, true, as the programme suggests, that her Attorney-General summoned her Cabinet Secretary to confront him with the prospect of the New Scotland Yard police at No. 10 Downing street with the Department of Trade and Industry unless she agreed to an inquiry? Is the programme telling the truth, or is it not?

The Prime Minister

I have nothing to add to the many, many answers that I have given in statements and in reply to questions. I recognise that the hon. Gentleman will go on asking questions, but nothing can conceal the poverty of his policy.

Mr. Jackson

Further to my right hon. Friend's earlier answer——

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is a definitive question.

Mr. Foulkes

Is the Prime Minister aware that I am one of the 8 million viewers who heard that most respected reporter, James Naughtie, say—[Laughter.] He went to the same school as I did. James Naughtie confirmed that the centre of operations for releasing the Solicitor-General's letter was No. 10 Downing street. Can the Prime Minister tell us, therefore, why only selected parts of that letter were released? Was it because 10 Downing street considered Chris Moncrieff's shorthand not good enough to take down all of it?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Member's source did not go to the same school as I did, and I am not responsible for the press.

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