45. Lieut.-CommanderFletcher asked the Prime Minister what staff will be allocated to the Lord Privy Seal for the performance of his duties in connection with civil defence; and on what day questions should be addressed to him?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)For the bulk of his work the Lord Privy Seal will rely upon the services of the organisation which has hitherto served my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. This organisation has, by mutual arrangement, been placed at his disposal, and it will be adjusted and expanded as experience may show to be necessary. In addition, the Lord Privy Seal is assembling a special staff, mainly for co-ordination purposes. As regards the last part of the question, I have consulted Mr. Speaker, and it has been arranged that the Lord Privy Seal should answer questions on Thursdays. Questions addressed to my right hon. Friend will, therefore, appear third on the Paper, immediately after questions addressed to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. This, I think, will be a convenient arrangement.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartDoes that mean that the Lord Privy Seal will answer in Parliament for A.R.P. services in Scotland,including fire services?
§ Mr. DuncanMay I ask what address the Lord Privy Seal will have—where his office is to be?
§ The Prime MinisterHis office is at the Home Office.
§ Mr. DaltonIs the Prime Minister incapable of answering the question of the hon. Member below the Gangway?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is quite customary, when supplementary questions are asked which have not been put on the Paper, to ask that they should be put down.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartAs this is an important matter, would it be possible for a statement to be made to the House at the earliest convenient moment, so that we may understand to whom we should address questions?