HC Deb 21 November 1951 vol 494 cc380-1
52. Mr. William Ross

asked the Prime Minister (1) when it is proposed to raise the Minister of State for Scotland to Cabinet rank;

(2) if he will explain the duties and powers of the Minister of State for Scotland.

The Prime Minister

The Minister of State will work as the Secretary of State's Deputy, mainly in Scotland, and he will have oversight of all the Scottish Departments. He will concern himself specially with industry and development, the peculiar problems of the Highlands and Islands, and general aspects of local government. In addition, for the present he will deal directly with education matters.

While the Minister of State is not a member of the Cabinet he will, as necessary, be invited to attend meetings of the Cabinet on behalf of the Secretary of State.

Mr. Ross

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in his speech in Glasgow during the election he gave a promise that the new appointment would carry Cabinet rank? As this Minister is to be subordinate to another Cabinet Minister, and is to receive £1,000 a year less than even the present cheap rate for Cabinet Ministers, how does the right hon. Gentleman manage to make these things agree?

The Prime Minister

There is a lot of questions mixed up in that one supplementary but, dealing with the one about any pledge I made about the Minister's being of Cabinet rank, I would point out to the hon. Gentleman that the Minster is of Cabinet rank, but that not all people of Cabinet rank are in constant attendance in the Cabinet. A very usual practice and custom has grown up around that point. The three Service Secretaries of State are of Cabinet rank, but they do not attend the Cabinet, except on special occasions.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is a very long time since the Secretary of State for Scotland was not a member of the Cabinet?

Hon. Members

He is.

The Prime Minister

The Secretary of State for Scotland is a member of the Cabinet. We are discussing the Minister of State in another place who shares his work and divides his duty as between the different countries—I am glad to have convinced the right hon. Gentleman.