§ Mr. Clemitsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a list of the abbreviations commonly used by his Department in parliamentary speeches, statements and answers to Questions with their respective meaning.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesAs a general rule I avoid abbreviations unless in regular use, such as BBC, IBA or CID. When particular topics come to the fore, like the current firemen's dispute, such additional abbreviations as FBU (Fire Brigades' Union) or NJC (National Joint Council) become temporarily current. If, however, there are any particular abbreviations which remain obscure to my hon. Friend I shall be glad to explain them.