HC Deb 27 November 1952 vol 508 cc617-8
48. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Prime Minister how much money has been saved by not filling the post of Under-Secretary for Welsh Affairs.

The Prime Minister

Up to 25th November the total has amounted to £113 2s. 11d.

Mr. Thomas

Is the Prime Minister aware that the appointment he has made has been so badly received in Wales that he would have been better advised to have gone on saving the money?

The Prime Minister

I do not see why it should be so badly received in Wales. There was no counterpart to it in the previous Government. The Minister who has been chosen is of the Welsh race and served in the Welsh Guards.

Mr. Watkins

Will the Prime Minister kindly publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a photograph of the new Minister, so that Welsh Members may recognise him?

The Prime Minister

There are many people whose photographs are not regularly and immediately noticed by Members of this House, but who, nevertheless, have within them potentialities which will enable them to give effective service to the State.

Mr. Thomas

Will the Prime Minister tell Welsh Members in this House of any substantial associations that the noble Lord has with the Principality where he is as unknown as he is here?

The Prime Minister

No doubt there could be improvements made in the Parliamentary representation of Wales, and I can assure the hon. Gentleman we will devote our attention to this aspect of the matter. There are advantages, in the present difficult conditions of the House of Commons, in having a Minister in the other House—[HON. MEMBERS: "Send the lot there."] I did not take in what seemed to me so far a rather silly point, but there are advantages in having a Minister in the House of Lords who can spend a great part of his time in Wales and not be perpetually forced to be in attendance on our debates in order to make sure that the Opposition can express their hatred of Government legislation.

Mr. H. Morrison

In view of the softness that the Prime Minister has in his heart for the House of Lords, and in view of the happenings of the past two days in this House, would he consider elevating the Leader of the House and the Government Chief Whip to the House of Lords?

The Prime Minister

As to softness for the other place, I have not yet looked up the figures, but I will do so, of the number of Peers created by the present Leader of the Opposition and of those for whom I have at any time been responsible. As to the suggestion, which I see put about in the newspapers, that there is a lack of confidence in our Chief Whip or in the present Leader of the House of Commons, I want to say that it is absolute nonsense, and the more the episode which occurred yesterday develops the more what I might call the Mau Mau will regret the folly of their actions.

Mr. Bellenger

On a point of order. Is not the Mau Mau a proscribed organisation, Sir? Therefore, is that the way to refer to hon. Gentlemen on this side of the House?

Mr. Speaker

There was so much noise that I could not hear to what the right hon. Gentleman referred.