HL Deb 06 November 1974 vol 354 cc432-3

2.47 p.m.

BARONESS ELLES

My Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Orr-Ewing 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 to list the dates for which no copies of House of Lords and House of Commons Hansard have yet been printed.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, all House of Lords Hansard have now been printed. The House of Commons Hansard that have not yet been printed are those dated the 30th and 31st July. It is expected that these will be completed by the 8th and 15th November.

BARONESS ELLES

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that one of the great freedoms of this country is to be able to say what we like in both Houses of Parliament and to have it reported, and that it is a great loss both to this House and another place when we cannot have the text of speeches available to us in order to proceed with the normal procedures and activities of both Houses? Will the noble Lord assure us that every measure will be taken in order that these democratic procedures can be carried out effectively in the future?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, I am deeply conscious of the inconvenience and difficulties experienced by Members of your Lordships' House and another place because of the absence of Hansard. Also one has to take into account the difficulties of those outside Parliament who take an interest in our affairs. I will certainly do all that I can to see that the problems that arose in July do not occur again. One cannot guarantee that. One speaks of freedom and of rights. One has to recognise, too, that those who work within the printing industry have the same rights. What we need to do, if we can, is to avoid the difficulties in the future.

LORD DAVIES OF LEEK

My Lords, on the question of printed material for Members of this House, may I ask my noble and energetic friend whether he is aware of a microcephalic tape machine in the Lobby? It is only knee high and one has to be an acrobat to read it. Also the print is hardly legible. Will my noble friend tell the House why that machine is there? Is he also aware of its uselessness to Members?

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, when I see Hansard tomorrow and when I have a dictionary beside me I may be able to find ou about the instrument to which my noble friend has referred. I will then look at it and, if he likes, I will write to him.