HC Deb 21 December 1961 vol 651 cc1553-5
30. Mr. W. Hamilton

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the nature of the official business connected with the Prime Minister's visit to Glasgow on 3rd November, which cost £56 7s. 9d.

Mr. Brooke

The cost did not relate to official business connected with Glasgow but to the arrangements which always have to be made to enable the Prime Minister to deal with any official business which requires his attention when away from London.

Mr. Hamilton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is admitted that this was a private visit of the Prime Minister intended exclusively to raise funds for the Tory Party and that at Glasgow he met Mr. Cotton, Mr. Clore and Sir Hugh Fraser for that very purpose? The Answer given to me on Tuesday, 19th December, was to the effect that the fares of two officials accompanying the Prime Minister cost £33 16s. Why should two officials go to Glasgow at the taxpayers' expense in order to enable the Prime Minister to raise the morale of the Scottish Tory Party and raise funds for it?

Mr. Brooke

If the hon. Gentleman wishes to inquire about what the Prime Minister did in Glasgow, he should put Questions not to me but to my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Hamilton

I have put them already.

Mr. Brooke

Perhaps he does not realise that, whenever the Prime Minister goes away from London for any purpose whatever, even to stay with friends, he is always accompanied by a detective and a secretary and possibly by other staff.

Mr. Hamilton

Why should the Prime Minister be accompanied by a secretary on a private visit to Glasgow concerned exclusively with the raising of Tory Party funds? It was not connected with official business at all. In view of the position which the right hon. Gentleman now holds, to cut public expenditure, will he take an axe to this kind of expenditure?

Mr. Brooke

If the hon. Gentleman becomes Prime Minister one day, he will discover that the affairs of the world do not cease the moment the Prime Minister's train draws out of King's Cross Station.

Mr. Jay

But is not my hon. Friend perfectly justified in raising this matter? As the Chief Secretary, whom we are glad to see at the Box at last, is so keen on public economy, will he explore the possibility of Mr. Clore, Mr. Cotton and Sir Hugh Fraser perhaps forming a consortium to defray these expenses and thereby relieve the Exchequer?

Mr. Brooke

I know nothing about the actions or possible actions of those gentlemen. I think it would be a pity if the House were to take the view that the Prime Minister should never visit Scotland except at the expense of the Scots.