§ EARL JOWITTMy Lords, I beg to ask a Question of which I have given private notice. The Question is as follows: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, at some convenient time in the course of to-day's proceedings (I have in mind, of course, the necessity to 3 synchronise the statement with that to be made in another place) they will make a statement with regard to the shooting down of a British aircraft over the island of Hainan?
THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF READING)My Lords, I understand that a similar Question is being put to my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary by the Leader of the Opposition in another place. In order to preserve the common practice, it is right that I should wait until my right honourable friend makes his statement. With the permission of the House, I will intervene at a convenient time as soon as possible after 3.30.
§ EARL JOWITTMy Lords, I am sure that that will be greatly to the convenience of the House, and I thank the noble Marquess.