HL Deb 29 May 1962 vol 241 cc100-2
BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is their intention to publish the Report of the Molony Committee prior to Parliament rising for the Summer Recess.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (EARL WALDEGRAVE)

My Lords, this is a long Report, and printing will inevitably take some time. My right honourable friend the President of the Board of Trade is anxious to see it published quickly—if possible before the Summer Recess—but he cannot yet make a close enough forecast of the date to offer any firm promise.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, while being very glad that the President of the Board of Trade is as anxious as we are that this Report should see the light of day, may I ask whether the Minister would not consider it unfortunate if it were not published in time for us to have a discussion in this House before rising for the Summer Recess? Is he aware that many organisations are very interested in this Report and that it would be a pity to delay a discussion on it until October?

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, the question whether or not there should be a discussion in this House is not, of course, a matter on which I can offer any opinion. That can no doubt be arranged through the usual channels.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, finally, may I ask the Minister whether he thinks there is any foundation in unofficial opinions which are going about that this Report is likely to be published in mid-July?

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, I think that it would be unwise for me to try to give foundations to unofficial opinions which axe going about and of which I am not myself aware.

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

My Lords, would the noble Earl convey to his noble friend that the Report should be published, so that if this House does want to debate it it will have the opportunity? We cannot have even the opportunity if the Report is not published. I can understand that the noble Earl is not able to express an opinion whether or not there should be a debate, but surely he can convey to his right honourable friend the desire of this House to debate it, and so have the Report published in time.

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, I really think that I cannot depart from my previous Answer. My right honourable friend is anxious that this Report shall be published as quickly as possible. When the Report is published, it will run to some 300 pages in White Paper form. It will take some time before it is available for publication from the Stationery Office.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, is it not fairly clear from what has been said in answer to the Question that there is going to be no discussion in Parliament before the Long Vacation? Therefore, would it be possible, after the long delay of the Vacation, to publish simultaneously the Molony Report and the noble Earl's opinions on it, plus the revised Weights and Measures Bill? We have waited a long time in this House for that.

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, these are weighty matters, but I will certainly bring them to the attention of my right honourable friend.

LORD AUCKLAND

My Lords, whilst appreciating the reply of my noble friend, may I ask whether he is aware that home safety and other safety committees are in dire need of direction emanating from this Report, and also that the Interim Report was published more than two years ago? Could the Government attach some urgency to the publication of what is going to be a very important Report?

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, could my noble friend tell us roughly what the Report is about? It seems to be connected with weights and measures, so far as I can make out.

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, the Report is about a number of weighty matters. It arose, I believe, originally out of the difficulties of the safety regulations for oil burners. That was perhaps one of the things which started the Report. I do not think that I can go further. The Question on the Paper asks whether the Report will be published before Parliament rises for the Summer Recess.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, as the Minister seems to think that the Board of Trade may take more than three months—seeing that they received this on April 25—to publish the Report, may I ask whether he thinks it will be delayed so long that it will not be included in the Queen's Speech for the next Session?

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, I really cannot answer that question. It would be pure speculation on my part.