HC Deb 22 March 1972 vol 833 c331W
40. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will take some action to prevent the practice of ministerial Departments issuing statements to the Press prior to Parliamentary Questions which are on the Order Paper being answered and which deal with the same matters upon which the Press have been given the answers.

Mr. Whitelaw

It is, in fact, the practice of Departments to ensure whenever possible that this does not happen.