§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he will take such action as may be necessary to ensure that, in the future, Members of Parliament with 20 years or more service in the House of Commons are given at least an equal opportunity with those Members who have only recently entered the House of Commons of attending the various cocktail parties and receptions organised by his department for the purpose of meeting important personages from overseas and in this country.
§ Mr. George ThomasAs explained in the reply given to my hon. Friend on 22nd June, 1965, it is the practice when extending invitations to Members of Parliament to functions of this kind, the majority of which are given for visiting Commonwealth personalities, to give consideration to the individual Member's interest in any particular guest and the country he represents. This consideration is not influenced by hon. Members' length of service in the House.