HL Deb 07 April 1964 vol 257 cc3-5
EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, I beg to ask Her Majesty's Government a Question of which I have given Private Notice: whether they can make a statement on the circumstances in which British troops, members of the United Nations forces in Cyprus, were attacked and detained by, I think, Cyprus guerrilla troops?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER (VISCOUNT BLAKENHAM)

My Lords, there is a Parliamentary Question down for Answer in another place this afternoon in the same terms as the one being asked by the noble Earl. If that Question is reached, my noble friend the Duke of Devonshire will repeat the Answer here at a suitable moment before half-past three. If the Question is not reached in the other place, I feel it will be inappropriate for any statement to be made on the subject in this House.

SEVERAL NOBLE LORDS

Why?

EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGH

My Lords, may I ask why it would be inappropriate? If it is actually on the Order Paper in the other place, and the Answer is going to be given either orally or in written form, why cannot it be made here at the same time?

VISCOUNT BLAKENHAM

My Lords, I have consulted the Companion to the Standing Orders, and at page 52, in the Report of the Procedure Committee of April 13, 1960, it says: The decision as to whether the Question is of sufficient urgency to justify an immediate reply rests in the first place with the Leader of the House and ultimately with the general sense of the House. It is on that basis that I have just replied to the noble Earl. This is a matter of interest that should not guide us in any way, but I think the noble Earl is probably aware that a Private Notice Question to this effect was put down in another place, and the Speaker to-day did not rule that it should be taken.

EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGH

My Lords, if an Answer is given in another place—and I understand that it may be—may I ask whether the Answer will be printed in your Lordships' OFFICIAL REPORT?

VISCOUNT BLAKENHAM

My Lords, I should like to consider whether that is feasible. I look favourably at the noble Earl's suggestion, but I should like to take advice on that.

EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGH

My Lords, is the noble Viscount aware that to Members of both Houses of Parliament the proper information on this matter is of urgent importance? Parliament is entitled to be informed of these matters. Could I, in the circumstances, get a guarantee from the noble Viscount that there will be a statement made not later than to-morrow?

VISCOUNT BLAKENHAM

My Lords, I dislike giving a guarantee, but I am quite sympathetic to what the noble Earl has said. I will look into this, and I should like to help in every way I can.

LORD HENDERSON

My Lords, as I understood it, the Question may be answered in another place this afternoon. I understand that if it is not reached it will not be answered, but if it is reached, it will be answered. Surely the noble Viscount can give a guarantee to answer such a Question to-morrow, twenty-four hours afterwards?

VISCOUNT BLAKENHAM

My Lords, I can do better than that. If the Question is reached this afternoon, my noble friend the Duke of Devonshire will repeat it in your Lordships' House. But I think what the noble Earl opposite was asking was, if it is printed in Hansard of another place to-morrow, could similar arrangements be made to do it in this House? On this I should like to take advice.

LORD CONESFORD

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that if it is not reached in another place there is nothing to stop the Minister concerned, with the leave of Mr. Speaker, from giving the Answer at the end of Questions?

VISCOUNT BLAKENHAM

My Lords, that is so; and in that case my noble friend the Duke of Devonshire would make the statement here.

EARL ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGH

My Lords, it does not look as if the Government are very willing to give us the information.