§ 45. Mr. Manderasked the Prime Minister the respective duties of the Joint Patronage Secretaries to the Treasury, and whether they share offices at 12, Downing Street, or elsewhere?
§ The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)The principal duties of the Joint Parliamentary Secretaries to the Treasury, who share offices at 12, Downing Street, are to make all arrangements necessary for the conduct of Parliamentary Business.
§ Mr. ManderMay I ask whether the two Patronage Secretaries will be working in close collaboration in future, or whether they will continue to gaze at each other from opposite sides of the House?
§ Mr. AttleeI am not aware that gazing at each other prevents collaboration.
§ Sir Irving AlberyIs there any greater need for two Patronage Secretaries than for two Prime Ministers?
§ Sir H. WilliamsAs they will be both ends of the usual channels, would it not save time if they sat together?