§ 48. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Prime Minister whether he will make arrangements for Questions relating to the Medical Research Council to be answered in future by the Minister of Health.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, I have made these arrangements and I should like to take this opportunity of informing the House that similar arrangements have been made for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to answer Questions relating to the Agricultural Research Council. Both Ministers will answer "as representing the Lord President of the Council."
§ Mr. RobinsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this sensible and obvious change will be welcomed, I am sure, on all sides of the House?
§ The Prime MinisterI thank the hon. Gentleman very much.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonAre we to understand from the Prime Minister's reply—I do not want to argue its merits now—that the responsibilities for the Medical Research Department and the Agricultural Research Department have now passed from the Lord President to the Departmental Ministers?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. They remain, as they were, the responsibilities of the Lord President. I said I thought it would be convenient for the House—the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson) was kind enough to say it was sensible, which is a very welcome tribute—that the answers should be made by the Ministers departmentally concerned, though the Lord President has the over-riding responsibility.
§ Mr. WoodburnWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that these matters are departmental concerns only in relation to England and Wales, and that he is covering only those countries when speaking of the responsibilities of the Lord President?
§ The Prime MinisterI had even thought of the position of Scotland in this respect. Where there are circumstances which affect Scotland alone, those are, of course, the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Scotland.