§ 46. Captain DOWERasked the Prime Minister what steps have been or are to be taken to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee on Ministers' Powers and, in particular, with regard to the assignment of judicial 1444 functions to Ministers regarding matters concerning their Departments?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe report of the Committee, to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, deals with issues of great importance and consequences, and I regret that the Government has not yet had sufficient opportunity to give it the thought and time that is required.
§ Captain DOWERIs the Prime Minister aware that the conclusions of this Committee were unanimously agreed upon; did not my right hon. Friend say, on the 7th June, that the matter would be dealt with immediately after the Summer Recess; and can he assure the House that there will be no unnecessary delay in deciding whether these recommendations shall be adopted or not?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that there has been no unnecessary delay, or, at any rate, no avoidable delay, but the subject is a very big one, and we must deal with it thoroughly. Just at the moment, as the House can very well understand, our minds are very pre-occupied.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESMay we take it that this subject will receive the consideration of the Government? It is very important.
§ The PRIME MINISTERCertainly; that is just what I have said. But there are certain things at the moment which, as the House must recognise, have to be dealt with as expeditiously as possible.