§ 50. Lieut.-Colonel Marcus Liptonasked the Prime Minister what are the present duties of the Paymaster-General; and to what extent they affect other Government Departments.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Paymaster-General's duties include those laid upon him by Statute and general duties as a member of the Cabinet. As I stated in my reply of 24th March to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Vauxhall (Mr. G. R. Strauss), my noble Friend advises me on atomic energy questions and exercises general supervision over work in this field. In this he works in close collaboration with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply, who retains his statutory responsibilities in regard to atomic energy. In addition, my noble Friend assists me in the analysis and interpretation of statistical data.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonWould the Prime Minister define more precisely the duties of the Paymaster-General? Can he give an assurance that his atomic duties will involve no diminution in the statutory responsibilities of the Minister of Supply—bearing in mind, of course. that the House prefers the evils it knows to the evils it does not know? Second. can the Prime Minister say what proportion of his noble Friend's time is taken 186 up with the discharge of his duties as official interpreter of statistics to the Prime Minister?
§ The Prime MinisterI think it would be very hard to ask me to lay down the exact lines which divide a Minister's work and time between one branch of his duties and another. I have not heard of any such inquiry being made by any Opposition so far. I am bound to say. however, that I attach great importance to the help I receive from my noble Friend Lord Cherwell.
§ Mr. Herbert MorrisonRegarding atomic energy, would the right hon. Gentleman be so good as to say where the duties of the Paymaster-General end and where the duties of the Minister of Supply begin?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is difficult to draw an exact line, but the Minister of Supply is responsible for the discharge of his statutory functions. Apart from that, general supervision is exercised by Lord Cherwell. He has continued access to me, and I keep the Cabinet thoroughly informed.
§ Mr. MorrisonMay we take it that the Paymaster-General is exercising the duties of a co-ordinating and supervising Minister?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that in this case "supervising" would be more appropriate than "co-ordinating."
Mr. LeeWould the right hon. Gentleman say whether the noble Lord advises him on the statistics, and the inferences to be drawn from them, in the local council elections?
§ The Prime MinisterI receive advice on that aspect from another quarter.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonIn view of the unsatisfactory and still doubtful nature of the reply I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.