§ 47. Sir G. Foxasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the efficiency of the five Standing Committees which have been set up is prejudiced by an insufficient number of Law Officers of the Crown to attend all the meetings of these Committees; and whether he will take steps to remedy this deficiency.
§ The Prime MinisterIt has never been the practice for a Law Officer to attend all meetings of all Standing Committees. Although the burden of work now imposed upon the Law Officers is substantially heavier than hitherto, I understand that a Law Officer has been present on all occasions where the Minister in charge of the Bill concerned has indicated that their attendance in connection with particular clauses might be of assistance to the Committee. Law Officers have other important public duties in connection with litigation and other matters but they give precedence to Parliamentary work and I hope that Committees will not find it necessary to require their constant attendance.
§ Sir G. FoxIs the Prime Minister aware that on Committee D, which is considering the Acquisition of Land Bill, there have been five occasions when the Minister has been unable to answer a question and we have required the help of a Law Officer?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. and gallant Gentleman is not in Order in referring to what takes place in Standing Committees.
§ Sir G FoxMay I ask then what steps could be taken to remedy this so that we can have the help of Law Officers when we require them upstairs?
§ Mr. BowlesDoes the Prime Minister know that the hon. and gallant Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox) was not present at all at the Standing Committee this morning?
§ The Prime Minister-I am not aware of what happens in Standing Committees on the same day, but I have for some time been a Member of this House and I frequently attended Committees upstairs where Law Officers were not present. Wherever their presence is desired they will attend.
§ Sir G. FoxI propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
Mr. McKieOn a point of Order. In view of your Ruling that the hon. and gallant Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox) was not in Order in referring to what takes place in Standing Committees, is the hon. Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Bowles) entitled to inform the House that the hon. and gallant Member for Henley was not present this morning?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat must be known because the attendance of Members is always written down and appears on the Order Paper.