§ Q3. Mr. Lubbockasked the Prime Minister what is his practice with regard to answering Questions on matters affecting the responsibilities of more than one Government Department.
§ The Prime MinisterI have followed previous practice in these matters, Sir.
§ Mr. LubbockDoes the Prime Minister agree that, in spite of the explanation he gave of why he transferred a Question of mine to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the employment of American consultants by the B.B.C. without giving British consultants a chance to submit their proposals is a matter sufficiently serious for him to deal with?
§ The Prime MinisterI agree about the importance of this Question, but the B.B.C. is a public corporation independent of the Government and the decision about which management consultants to appoint is a matter for its discretion. That does not mean that every Question of importance tabled for me should be transferred, but my right hon. Friend has 1532 responsibility for this subject and it was right that the Question should be transferred.