§ 47. Mr. T. W. Jonesasked the Prime Minister if, in view of the importance of Welsh affairs, he will arrange for the Secretary of State for the Home Department and Minister for Welsh Affairs to answer Questions on Welsh matters on a different day from that on which he answers Questions appertaining to his duties as Secretary of State for the Home Department.
§ The Prime MinisterI think it would be very discourteous to the Welsh people, with all the gifts they have contributed to our affairs, to forbid their Questions from being answered on the same day as those addressed to my right hon. and gallant Friend in his capacity as Secretary of State for the Home Department. I feel the Welsh nation might easily resent this sort of suggested exclusion.
§ Mr. P. MorrisIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in Wales, fine 598 words butter no parsnips and that the people are asking for a definite reply to this important Question? If he cannot concede it, can he tell us who the new Parliamentary Secretary dealing with Welsh Affairs is to be?
§ The Prime MinisterWe are making that announcement in the ordinary course.
§ 49. Mr. Maclayasked the Prime Minister what arrangements will be made for the answering of Questions relating to atomic energy now that there is a new Minister in charge of the Ministry of Works.
§ The Prime MinisterOnly 28 Questions were addressed to the late Minister of Works on this subject and they were almost entirely concerned with questions of routine and the relations between the Authority and its staff. This arrangement will continue under the new Minister of Works and I will myself deal, as I have done in the past, with Questions involving issues of general policy or special information on nuclear matters.