HC Deb 28 July 1953 vol 518 cc1089-90
45. Mr. Jay

asked the Prime Minister the present duties of the Minister for Co-ordination of Transport, Fuel and Power.

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Harry Crookshank)

I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 6th May, 1952.

Mr. Jay

As the "Daily Telegraph" has now stated that the Overlords have had their co-ordinating functions taken away from them and transferred to the Chancellor, will the right hon. Gentleman say—I suppose he knows—whether it is true that the Government have thus returned to the system prevailing under the Labour Government, and, if so, can any such important change in the Government be first announced in the House of Commons and not to the "Daily Telegraph "?

Mr. Crookshank

I must say that I am not responsible for anything which appears in the daily Press, and I have answered the Question which was on the Order Paper.

Mr. Shinwell

Can nothing be done by the right hon. Gentleman and the Government to relieve Lord Leathers of the boredom associated with this post?