§ 49. Mr. Marplesasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the letter from the Public Relations Officer to the Ministry of Labour on a personal matter unconnected with the Department's work but affecting the Minister, which appeared in the "Spectator" of 16th August last, he will consider clarifying further the scope of these officers' public duties.
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour jocularly referred to trade union membership cards at a recent Press conference at Newcastle. Very misleading reports of this were published in some sections of the Press, and the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Labour wrote a letter to correct misunderstandings of the position taken up by my right hon. Friend on this occasion. It should be, I think, a general rule that, where the personal conduct of Ministers is concerned, the matter should be dealt with by the Minister himself.
§ Mr. W. J. BrownIs it not putting too much on the Public Relations Officers of the various Government Departments to have to explain the jocularity of Ministers to the Press?
§ Mr. W. FletcherWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether jocularity breeds contempt?