HL Deb 23 May 1977 vol 383 cc1074-6

2.44 p.m.

Lord BOOTHBY

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, in view of recent events, they will now bring what has become known as "the lobby system" to an end; and whether Ministers, while retaining public relations secretaries as assistants, will in future accept personal responsibility for all Government briefings and statements made to the Press.

The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Lord Peart)

My Lords, methods of communication between the Government and Parliamentary journalists are currently under review. Ministers are, of course, at all times responsible for the conduct of their Departments.

Lord BOOTHBY

My Lords, arising out of that very interesting reply, may I, as one who was a Member of another place for many years and at the same time a journalist, ask the noble Lord whether or not he would agree that this present half-secret system does not in practice work out, and that the recent handling of the appointment of the new Ambassador in Washington, which did considerable and, as I think, quite unjustified harm both to the Prime Minister and to the Foreign Secretary, proved that it was not working well? When Her Majesty's Government are making their inquiries, will the noble Lord seek to ensure that in future public relations should be handled publicly; and that only on rare occasions such as, for example, when security is involved, should meetings between the Government and the Press be held off the record?

Lord PEART

My Lords, my noble friend Lord Boothby is quite right in saying that he has had a lot of experience of this. But I still say from my experience, which also has been considerable both as Leader of the House and a Departmental Minister, that I would be cautious about destroying something which has worked well. If individuals break this system it is not necessarily always the fault of the system. Inevitably we have some incidents. A review is now going on. I would be cautious and would only say that one must not destroy something which has worked well over the years.

Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONE

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the view expressed by the noble Lord, Lord Boothby, from the Cross-Benches, is not universally held in the House, and that many of us have every reason to be grateful to the lobby system?

Lord PEART

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble and learned Lord, Lord Hailsham, for saying that because he too had long experience of this practice, as I have, and I should hate to see it cease. It is something which has been part of our system, and if it is good let us keep it. But if there has to be a review, let the review be made.

Lord BOOTHBY

My Lords, in view of Lord Hailsham's question I should like to remind the Leader of the House that in 50 years I have seldom expressed the views of either Front Bench.

Lord PEART

My Lords, that may be so, but that is a tragedy. The noble Lord, Lord Boothby, probably should have been on the Front Bench.

Lord DUNCAN-SANDYS

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that many people will share the view expressed by my noble friend? While there are weaknesses in all systems, the lobby system has, over the years, provided a most valuable channel for informal contact for not only the Government but also Members of Parliament generally. It would be the greatest possible mistake, just because of criticism in one case, to abolish a long established and valued system.

Lord PEART

My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord, Lord Duncan-Sandys, who had long experience in a very important Department.

Lord LEATHERLAND

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend—and I do so as one who was a Lobby correspondent in the other place 55 years ago—whether he will carefully bear in mind the matters which have been mentioned by the noble and learned Lord, Lord Hailsham, and the noble Lord, Lord Duncan-Sandys? This scheme has run for a long time and it does work.

Lord PEART

My Lords, my noble friend has confirmed precisely what has been said by some very experienced politicians.