§ 42. Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that, of the 667 members of 70 Royal Commissions and Committees of Inquiry, not more than 16 1479 were Members of Parliament; and if he will give instructions to Ministers with the object of their asking a larger number of Members of Parliament to serve on such Commissions and Inquiries.
§ The Prime MinisterI think it is best to maintain the utmost flexibility in this matter, since the aim must always be to secure the services of those best qualified to take part. There are of course occasions when the understanding and experience of hon. Members qualify them particularly for appointment to Royal Commissions or Committees of Inquiry, and I am sure that this is a factor which Ministers do not overlook.
§ Dr. JohnsonI thank my right hon. Friend for his reply. Does he agree that perhaps more invitations of this nature might provide something of an antidote to those problems of ennui in this House which were referred to by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour in his speech yesterday?
§ The Prime MinisterWe are always interested in literary curiosities. I was rather interested in reading The Times today that it had not recognised a quotation from a very famous essay by Mr. Augustine Birrell which my right hon. Friend quoted, written, I think, about thirty years ago.