HC Deb 27 March 1945 vol 409 cc1308-9
48. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Prime Minister what are the Government activities of the Lord Privy Seal and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

The Prime Minister

In addition to discharging the formal duties of 'his office, the Lord Privy Seal undertakes such other tasks as may be assigned to him, in Cabinet Committee or otherwise.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster primarily controls the management of the Duchy estates and revenues, and, within the County Palatine, performs various duties which in other counties devolve upon the Lord Chancellor and the Home Secretary. Besides these duties, he is Chairman of the European Committee of the Council of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. In addition, he is available to perform a variety of pressing and temporary duties which are not assigned to any particular Minister such as membership of Government Committees and assistance in the work of this House.

Mr. Shinwell

Does my right hon. Friend suggest that these gentlemen are fully employed?

The Prime Minister

Certainly, I do. Indeed, it used to be pressed upon me most vigorously in the first two years of the life of the present Government that we should have a War Cabinet entirely composed of persons who had no duties at all except to brood at large over our for- tunes. We have followed, in general, the opposite principle, but there is great advantage in having one or two Ministers in an Administration who have no heavy Departmental duties, and are available for all kinds of other tasks, and these two particular offices, which have long traditions behind them, are extremely suitable for those who discharge such functions.

Mr. W. J. Brown

Could the Prime Minister inform us of the names of any Ministers who are more harmlessly employed than the two mentioned?

Mr. Shinwell

But is my right hon. Friend aware that neither of these members of the Government is in the War Cabinet, whereas in the War Cabinet there are right hon. Gentlemen engaged in Departmental duties?

The Prime Minister

I know, but it is a good arrangement, and it has not led us to a bad spot so far.

Sir P. Hannon

May I ask whether anybody can imagine the Lord Privy Seal being engaged in anything except promoting the interests of this country and the British Empire?

The Prime Minister

That certificate could be given to all His Majesty's Ministers.