asked whether any payment out of public funds has been made to any person for legal advice or legal assistance in connection with the proposed contract between the Postmaster-General and the Marconi Company; and, if so, to whom and how much?

Assuming that the hon. Member refers to special payments apart from the annual salaries paid to legal advisers in the public service, the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The opinion of an independent counsel has been obtained on certain aspects of the subject; but the amount of his fee has not yet been fixed.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give facilities for the early discussion of the Motion with respect to the Select Committee on the Marconi Contract standing in the name of the hon. Member for Huddersfield?

My right hon. Friend does not see his way to give facilities for a discussion of this Motion.