§ 46. Mr. Nallyasked the Prime Minister if he will make a full statement as to the scope of authority and nature of direct responsibility to be assumed by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in his new duties of ensuring the accurate and convenient presentation of information to the public about Departmental activities.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay) on 12th May.
§ Mr. NallyWhile being fully aware of the nature of that answer, may I ask whether the Prime Minister would care to tell us whether the first results of this appointment were the chaos and confusion that arose in public relations on Monday, in relation to the changes in transport fares?
Secondly, in view of the various different definitions of function that have been given by his over-lords, would it not be an act of grace and courtesy to the House if the Prime Minister would tell us precisely what this over-lord and his very able assistant are intended to do—and tell us in detail and not in the vague phrases of which the Prime Minister is a master?
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to my answer.
§ 47. Mr. Nallyasked the Prime Minister the purpose of appointment and the precise status in relation to other Government officers, fulfilling comparable functions, of the newly appointed Public Relations Adviser to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
§ The Prime MinisterIn order to assist him in his work, my noble Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is attaching to his personal staff an officer who will act as Press officer and as his liaison officer with the heads of information or public relations divisions of Government departments.
§ Mr. NallyWhile having every confidence in the very high abilities of the gentleman who has been appointed as Press officer, may I ask if the Prime Minister is aware that this Press officer himself is still not quite clear—and neither is the House—what job he has to do, and what his relationship is to other Departments? Will the Prime Minister tell us—or does he himself not know?
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to my answer.
§ Mr. ShinwellWill the Prime Minister tell the House why he has suddenly become so shy? Usually he is very anxious to add a great deal on supplementary questions. Could he not expand a little on this occasion? What is the matter with him?
§ The Prime MinisterI have to measure the length of the response to any supplementary question by the worth, meaning and significance of that supplementary question.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonWill not the Prime Minister be a little more forthcoming? He has refused to tell us the specific duties of the Chancellor of the Duchy in respect of Government publicity. It is now clear that they have appointed a public relations adviser to advise the Chancellor on duties the details of which we do not know. Now the Prime Minister fails to tell us the duties of the public relations officer. Both these gentlemen are paid out of public funds. Why should the Prime Minister treat the House of Commons with contempt?
§ The Prime MinisterI never treat the House of Commons with contempt. I was 1198 endeavouring to accelerate the course of its business and several hon. Members have done me the honour of putting Questions to me today which I shall not be able to answer.
§ Mr. NallyOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory and impertinent nature of the reply——
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. That is a very improper observation——
§ Mr. NallyAm I to understand, Mr. Speaker, in view of the answer to my supplementary question, that you are seriously suggesting that I should withdraw the word "impertinent"?
§ Mr. SpeakerI have frequently ruled, as my predecessor has too, that in giving this form of notice, which the hon. Member was about to do, the proper form of words is, "Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply." It is really out of order to load that notice with words of that character.
§ The Prime MinisterOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is not this abuse of the phrase "On a point of order" becoming a scandal in this House?
§ Mr. SpeakerDo I understand the hon. Member to give notice that he intends to raise this on the Adjournment?
§ Mr. SpeakerThen I call Mr. Wyatt.