LORD SALTOUNMy Lords, I beg to ask His Majesty's Government the first question that stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, what are the restrictions on the giving of information to Members of Parliament by members of the Control Commission in Germany; and further, whether statistical information can be supplied to members.]
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (LORD PAKENHAM)My Lords, individual members of the Control Commission staff who receive written inquiries from either House of Parliament are required to refer them to the Control Office for Germany and Austria, Norfolk House, London. This procedure is in line with the normal practice of other Government Departments. The object is to ensure that noble Lords and honourable Members receive considered replies from, or on behalf of, the responsible Minister. Oral requests for factual information, such as statistics, 993 made by noble Lords or honourable Members When in Germany, are normally answered at the time if the information is readily available.
LORD SALTOUNI would like to thank the noble Lord for his answer, but I would ask him if he is aware that a question of mine, addressed in that way towards the end of September and forwarded, as I am informed, through the proper channels, still remains without a reply?
LORD PAKENHAMThe noble Lord has put a number of questions, I think I am right in saying, at various times, and I hope that he will agree that they have received answers with reasonable promptitude. As regards the particular question which I think he has in mind, some slight misunderstanding seems to have occurred between himself and those responsible for answering it. I can assure him that now that misunderstanding has been cleared up the matter will be proceeded with rapidly.