§ 48. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister if he is yet in a position to announce what steps he intends to take to relieve the burden on the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations.
§ The Prime MinisterI have at present nothing to add to the reply which I gave the hon. Gentleman on 16th April.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the Prime Minister aware that there is a special sense of urgency in this matter? In view of the many indiscretions that the present holder of the office has committed during the last few months, would the Prime Minister not agree that the best course would be to relieve him of office altogether?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I utterly repel that observation, which is foolish and unworthy.
Mr. DugdaleWhile I do not want to get into any controversy concerning the indiscretions of the Minister concerned, may I ask the Prime Minister whether he does not agree that the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations is, in fact, very underworked? Will the Prime Minister not see whether it is possible, at the forthcoming conference of Commonwealth Prime Ministers, to increase the Secretary of State's duties by some further economic co-operation between the members of the Commonwealth?
§ The Prime MinisterAs to whether my noble Friend is overworked or under-worked, I must leave the right hon. Gentleman to settle with his hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. Hamilton).