§ 47. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether any alteration in the duties of Ministers deal- 851 ing with unemployment has been made since the Lord Privy Seal and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster assumed their present offices; and whether he will state briefly what is the present arrangement of duties for such purpose?
§ Mr. P. SNOWDENEach Departmental Minister will continue to be responsible under the Cabinet for matters arising within his own field. The Cabinet in exercising its general responsibility has the assistance of a special Committee of Ministers of which both the Lord Privy Seal and the Chancellor of the Duchy are members.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I have the last part of my question answered a little more explicitly? Has there been a change in the arrangement to which the right hon. Gentleman ha; just referred since the present hon. Gentleman and right hon. Gentleman were appointed to these offices?
§ Mr. SNOWDENDoes the hon. and gallant Member mean since the Dominion Secretary ceased to be Lord Privy Seal?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYSince the right hon. Member for Ogmore (Mr. Hartshorn) and the hon. Member for Limehouse (Mr. Attlee) were appointed.
§ Mr. SNOWDENThere has been no change, so far as I know, since they took office. Of course, there is no Minister now who has the full responsibility for unemployment as the previous Lord Privy Seal had.
§ Sir ARTHUR STEEL-MAITLANDWill an opportunity be taken for implementing the statement made at the General Election that unemployment will be dealt with by a special committee of the Cabinet, of which the Prime Minister will be Chairman?
§ Mr. SNOWDENThat is exactly what is being done