HC Deb 27 May 1977 vol 932 cc721-2W
Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why Written Answers to parliamentary Questions answered by her on Wednesday 24th May were delivered late to the House of Commons; and whether it is her practice to allow the contents of answers to be disclosed to the Press by telephone before they are given to the hon. Member who asked the Question.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

I understand that the answers which I and my hon. Friends gave to Questions on Wednesday 25th May were placed on the letter board in the Members' Lobby by 6 pm on that day. It is not my Department's prac- tice to disclose answers to the Press before they are issued to hon. Members.