HL Deb 08 May 1969 vol 301 c1267
LORD TREFGARNE

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government why they omitted to follow the normal consultative procedure before laying Statutory Instrument No. 510 (1969) before Parliament on April 9 last.]

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I do not accept that Her Majesty's Government failed to consult the interested parties before laying Statutory Instrument No. 510.

LORD TREFGARNE

My Lords, once again I am obliged to the noble Lord for that reply. Is he aware that his view seems to be confined to him alone; and is he further aware that the people who are alleged to have been consulted flatly deny it? Will he therefore undertake that before any similar arrangement is made better consultation will take place?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, if the noble Lord is going to make an assertion of that kind in this House he should bring forward some evidence. He is challenging the good faith of Ministers and civil servants, and he should not do it like that.