Written question asked by Graham Allen (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 28 November 1996. It was answered by John Major (Conservative) on Thursday, 28 November 1996 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister

Question: If he will list the circumstances in which it is acceptable for ministers to make a statement which they know to be untrue on the floor of the House; and what changes have been made to that list since March 1994.

Answer: Mr. Allen: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the circumstances in which it is acceptable for Ministers to make a statement which they know to be untrue on the Floor of the House; and what changes have been made to that list since March 1994. [6542] The Prime Minister: There has been no change in the position as I stated it in 1994. It is clearly of paramount importance that Ministers give accurate and truthful information to the House. If they knowingly fail to do this, they should relinquish their positions, except in the quite exceptional circumstances, of which a devaluation or time of war or other danger to national security have been quoted as examples.

Secondary information