A PEOPLE'S HANSARD
Sta,—Mr. Reginald L. Swaby, in his letter supporting the publication a People's Hansard, makes some references to an incident which
tined in Parliament on February toth, when the House, on the otion for the Adjournment, were debating Civil Defence (Detainees), hich are not quite borne out by Me official report.
The following, taken from Col. 1393 of Hansard, is what in fact is fficially reported to have taken place:
Mr. Pickthorn: . . . Time after time, it is suggested that the Secretary of State should suppress meetings, or a paper control be
used against a pamphlet, or so on. Let me say, lest I should be interrupted by the farmyard noisemongers opposite, that--(interrup- tion)--not from political prejudice—
Mr. Realms: On a point of Order. Is the remark made by the hon. Member for Cambridge University (Mr. Pickthorn) a proper remark for an hon. Member to make?
Mr. Gallacher: Take no notice of him. He is just an ignorant upstart. '
Mr. Speaker: I did not really understand the meaning of the hon. Gentleman's words.
Mr. Pickthorn: I am perfectly willing to withdraw any suggestion which hon. Gentlemen opposite found offensive, and I apologise to you, Mr. Speaker, if what I said was not perspicuous. I have not
the least desire to be offensive to hon. Gentlemen opposite . . . Perhaps if Mr. Swaby is looking for more picturesque reporting of ebates in Parliament he would do better to stick to the accounts In e more popular newspapers, unless, of course, he is urging that a eople's Hansard should be embellished with expressions that do not ppear in the official edition.—Yours, &c., M. E. WEINSTEIN. 37 Lindsay Drive, Kenton, Middlesex.
1x,—The suggestion put forward in The Spectator for a record of arliamentary debates in cheap newspaper form, would seem to be the swer to the varying amount of space devoted by the Press to these atters. Surely it is eisential, if democratic government is to preserve s meaning, for electors to be able to follow precisely the activities their representatives at Westminster. There could be no better channel an though a People's Hansard on sale at bookstalls at prices competitive th those of newspapers.—Yours faithfully, V. R. KimmErr. 5 Dawson Place, Kensington, W. 2.
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