HL Deb 02 July 1957 vol 204 cc541-2

2.48 p.m.

LORD MATHERS

My Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Ammon, I beg leave to ask the Question appearing in his name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a statement can be made as to the decision of the working party of experts deputed from the countries concerned to consider matters concerning the treatment of exported cattle].

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS AND LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (THE EARL OF HOME)

My Lords. I am afraid that there is a hiatus here. It may be that the noble Lord, Lord Ammon, gave notice that he would not be here to-day and therefore the Minister is not present to answer the Question. I regret that there is not an Answer, but perhaps the noble Lord, Lord Mathers, will put a Question down on the Order Paper and I will see that there is a reply.

LORD MATHERS

My Lords, perhaps it is my fault. As your Lordships know, I am interested in this matter and I thought that it would be well to have the Government's Answer on record. I must ask to be forgiven if I have transgressed in any way.

THE EARL OF HOME

My Lords, I think we can call it quits, because I do not know whose the mistake is. But if the noble Lord would put the Question clown again. I will see that he receives a reply.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGH

My Lords, could the Answer not be printed tomorrow in the OFFICIAL REPORT as an Answer to a Written Question?

THE EARL OF HOME

Yes, my Lords, if that is satisfactory. But the noble Lord may prefer to ask a Question on which supplementaries may be put. If so, no doubt we can arrange for an Answer to be given.