§ 51. Mr. Rankinasked the Prime Minister when he proposes to appoint a third Under-Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member will by now have seen the announcement of the appointment of my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Mr. N. Macpherson) as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ Mr. RankinI have seen that, and the Prime Minister will be aware that the Question was submitted before the appointment was made; but, as a matter of information, will he tell us whether the hon. Gentleman concerned has resigned his post as Chief Whip to the three members of the National Liberal Party who sit on the back benches opposite?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is not unusual for us to include members of the National Liberal Party in our Ministerial ranks. If I may say it to the hon. Gentleman, perhaps the difference is that hon. Members opposite have one name and several loyalties: we have several names and one loyalty.