§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Prime Minister on how many occasions she has rejected the advice of the advisory committee on business appointments, the Diamond committee; and whether she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterOn a very few occasions in the past five years I have taken the view that the public interest did not require me to insist upon a waiting period as long as that recommended by the advisory committee, and I have accordingly approved the application on the basis of a shorter waiting period.