Thursday 30 November 2006

John Prescott rescued by Hansard

Tom Brake MP writes about John Prescott's verbal coordination yesterday at PMQs:

The Hansard writers, who are responsible for writing down (and finessing into a semi-coherent speech if it is necessary) every word said in Parliament will really have earnt their crust.

You have to admire the poor Parliamentary transcribers. Somehow, they managed to turn this, which John Prescott actually said:

I think it is a matter that the Prime Minister I think has mentioned to the House on a number of occasions, that he would like to encourage in the neighbouring countries to participate in those kinds of agreements. It is not easy, it’s difficult, some of those countries are playing a very difficult part, and encouraging the kinds of assaults and injuries that are taking place there, and they could do an awful lot more to prevent it. I think anything that helps towards that, and if in his discussions with those people is encouraging that kind of development, I’m sure we’d welcome it.

into this, which is fluent English:

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has mentioned to the House on several occasions that he would like to encourage neighbouring countries to participate in such agreements. It is not easy: it is difficult. Some of those countries are playing a difficult role and encouraging the assaults and injuries that are taking place, and they could do much more to prevent that. If the right hon. Gentleman’s discussions with those people are encouraging such developments, I am sure that we would welcome them.

Bless 'em.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Hansard writers are pros and I don't think they break sweat even for Prezza. It's fairly obvious what he's trying to say even if he's functionally illiterate.

Changing the subject a tad, could I be a bit picky about your webpage banner? The clip art is very cute and apposite, Burberry cap 'n all, but the homicidal and delinquent youth depicted is not actually wearing a hoodie.

Jonny Wright said...

True! But by the time I'd spent an hour on photoshop putting him into a Lib Dem colour scheme and giving him some liberal bling, I'd fallen in love, and couldn't get rid of him again.

Anonymous said...

Being a Hansard transcriber must be such a crap job, at times. I mean, some debates are probably interesting, but the vast majority are just incoherent babble and waffle. Still, hurrah for them!