Conduct of the Minister of Aviation

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 11 May 1966.

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Photo of Mr Cyril Bence Mr Cyril Bence , Dunbartonshire East 12:00, 11 May 1966

No, but to say that he misled implies that. I heard the words of the hon. Member for Bournemouth, West and of a previous speaker, the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury, (Mr. Ridley) and they implied it was a lack of integrity. To say, in a Motion of censure, that a Minister misled the House is to imply that he did it deliberately. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Oh, yes. To say that a Minister "misled" is to suggest that he gave an answer, or dealt with a matter, in such a form as—and the intention—to mislead the House.

I do not believe that my right hon. Friend did. I believe that he answered those questions genuinely. He made a statement on 7th March—was it?—and one previously, on 21st December, or about that date—offhand, I cannot remember precisely. What I am concerned about, and what I am defending, is the Minister's integrity. To put down a Motion as this has been put down is challenging his integrity, as I see it. It must be read that way.