HC Deb 19 May 1942 vol 380 cc26-7
48. Mr. Stokes

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now able to make a statement with reference to the recommendations by the Select Committee on Offices or Places of Profit Under the Crown, proposing that steps should be taken to reduce or, at least, limit the number of Parliamentary Private Secretaries to Ministers; and that not more than one-such secretary should be necessary for each Government Department?

Mr. Attlee

The Government have noted the views of the Select Committee in regard to Parliamentary Private Secretaries. Members who act as Parliamentary Private Secretaries to Ministers perform valuable services not only to Departments but to the House as a whole, and in the opinion of the Government the adoption of the Committee's suggestion to reduce or limit the number of these unofficial appointments would not serve the best interests of the House at the present time. I would remind the House that these are not official or paid appointments but are voluntary associations entered into by private arrangement between Members whose freedom to do so cannot be challenged.

Mr. Stokes

Is the Deputy Prime Minister aware that the Report of the Select Committee states that there are no fewer than 80 Ministerialist posts, and if each Minister has a Parliamentary Private Secretary, those Parliamentary Private Secretaries, with their Ministers, form about 25 per cent. of the possible strength in this House?

Mr. Attlee

I am afraid that the hon. Member has omitted to notice that not all Ministers sit in this House.

Sir Edward Campbell

Is it not the case that Parliamentary Private Secretaries, while not able to speak for their Ministers, can speak for themselves?

Mr. Stokes

What we object to is that they vote for the Government.