§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Prime Minister when the Cabinet Secretary first knew of the alleged use of House of Commons notepaper byThe Guardian newspaper to obtain information about the hotel bill of the right hon. Member for Thanet, South (Mr. Aitken); when the Prime Minister was informed; and what steps he took to bring the matter to the attention of the House authorities.
§ The Prime MinisterThe matter first came to the attention of my right hon. Friend, the Member for Thanet, South following the publication of an article inThe Guardian on 10 May 1994; he reported it to me and the Cabinet Secretary on 11 May 1994.
1257WMy right hon. Friend considered raising a complaint immediately but decided not to pursue the matter at that time. What has since been revealed is that the forgery was part of a concerted attempt to cover up collusion.