HC Deb 12 November 1959 vol 613 cc655-6

6.10 p.m.

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Edward Heath)

I beg to move, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Ministry of National Service (Dissolution) Order, 1959, be made in the form of the draft laid before this House on 27th October. It was thought that, with the recent reconstruction of the Administration and the changes in other Departments, it might be a convenient moment to shorten the title of the Ministry of Labour and National Service and revert to the old title of "Ministry of Labour." This is being done by two Orders, the one which I have just mentioned and the Minister of Labour Order, 1959. Under that Order, which is subject to the negative procedure, all the responsibilities and duties of the Minister of National Service are transferred to the Minister of Labour. This Order, which is subject to the affirmative procedure, dissolves the Ministry of National Service.

The House will appreciate, therefore, that this completes a process which is purely a change of name and makes absolutely no difference to the powers and responsibilities of my Department or myself. The whole of the responsibilities of the Minister of National Service are transferred to the Minister and Ministry of Labour, and will be carried on in the same way as before.

6.12 p.m.

Mr. Frederick Lee (Newton)

We believe that the way in which this is being done is right. We were concerned at first about whether some of the duties which the Ministry of National Service had specifically from the Ministry of Labour would be overhanging when the Ministry of National Service came to an end. But that point has been cleared up on reading the Ministry of Labour Order, 1959. We think this the best method of procedure, and we support it.

Question put and agreed to.

Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Ministry of National Service (Dissolution) Order, 1959, be made in the form of the draft laid before this House on 27th October.

To be presented by Privy Councillors or Members of Her Majesty's Household.