§ 42. Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the extensive and extending exercise of patronage by Her Majesty's Government, he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate ways by which it might be controlled.
§ The Prime MinisterNo. Sir.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that we are not surprised at that answer? Will not he admit, however, that the exercise of patronage has increased so much over the last several years that it is now being abused, particularly by the right hon. Gentleman himself? As a matter of interest, especially to his frustrated friends behind him, will he indicate whether there are any more names on the books of the Macmillan labour exchange?
§ The Prime MinisterWhen the Question was put down I felt that it was not for the purpose of obtaining information but for the purpose of firing off an offensive by the hon. Member. The hon. Member has had his little fun. We have had quite a lot of it. I do not think that the form of his Question and the way it is couched calls for a serious reply.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerThere is so much noise that I have not had an opportunity of calling the hon. Member. Mr. Hamilton.
§ Mr. HamiltonThank you very much. Mr. Speaker. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the country as a whole does not regard it as a very funny matter? Is he aware that in recent appointments there has been evidence of gross abuse of the exercise of this power? 1220 [HON. MEMBERS: "Rubbish."] Can the Prime Minister tell me, then, what are the qualifications of the Duke of Devonshire for the post which he has just been given?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Member has tried to emulate the lighter touch of the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes), who does this sort of thing in a much more charming manner. It is my duty to recommend appointments. This appointment had to be given to a Member of the House of Lords because of the adjustment of the three Ministers being in the House of Commons. I am quite prepared to defend my appointments. I try to make the best appointments I can. [Laughter.] All I can say is that if ever the sad day came when appointments had to be made from that side—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. Hector HughesOn a point of order.
§ Mr. SpeakerThere is so much noise that I cannot be sure what noise the hon. and learned Member is making at me.
§ Mr. HughesOn a point of order. This is a good occasion to point out to you a problem with which the House is confronted and ask for your guidance. There were 13 Questions addressed to the Prime Minister today, and he had the opportunity of answering only three. He answered three-thirteenths. We have had the opportunity of hearing his charming voice only on three occasions out of a possible thirteen. Is there any way in which other Ministers who answer Questions before the Prime Minister can be induced to answer them more briefly, so that the Prime Minister's answers can begin earlier?
§ Mr. SpeakerI know it is the wish of the House that we should make better progress with Questions. I would express the hope that both Ministers and those asking Questions would always bear the matter in mind. Without seeking in any way to be impertinent to the House, I should like to add one other idea. It has occurred to me, sitting here, that sometimes it has become the convention to ask supplementary questions which, when asked, do not add greatly to the investigation of the matter. If that could be borne in mind with all the other considerations we might get on better.
§ Mr. GaitskellWould you, Mr. Speaker, consider inviting the Prime Minister to instruct his colleagues that when they have lengthy answers to give, if they are matters of importance, it is better to give them in the form of statements after Questions? Incidentally, that would also enable hon. Members to put supplementary questions more easily to the Ministers concerned.
§ Mr. SpeakerI am sure that what the right hon. Gentleman has just said will be taken into account.