HC Deb 08 June 1961 vol 641 cc1383-4
40. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Prime Minister whether he will instruct all Ministers, except one designated Minister, not to make public statements on the effect on the consumer and on the home producer of food of the entry of this country into the Common Market.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd)

I have been asked to reply.

No, Sir.

Mr. de Freitas

Is the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware that, because of what the Minister of Agriculture had said previously on this point, the Home Secretary's speech in East Anglia was described in the farming Press as causing confusion? That was the word used in the agricultural community. Even if the right hon. and learned Gentleman cannot undo the harm that has been done, will he at least ensure that on these matters, at least, the Government speak with one voice, however unsatisfactory the one voice may be?

Mr. Lloyd

My answer to the hon. Gentleman's question must remain, "No". I do not think that it is desirable from a constitutional point of view to designate a single Minister in the way the hon. Gentleman suggests.

Mr. Holt

Does not this reinforce the plea I made in a supplementary question to Question No. 1, that if the Government produced some documents on the subject, we could expect to get far more statements from different Ministers which, in fact, tied up, and did not contradict each other?

Mr. Lloyd

I do not think that that bears on the question of designating a single Minister.

Mr. Callaghan

In view of the effect of the last two speeches made by the Leader of the House, may we have an assurance from the Chancellor that his right hon. Friend will not be intervening in colonial affairs for some time?

Mr. Lloyd

That does not arise from this Question.

Mr. Gaitskell

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman also see that the Home Secretary does not interfere in Treasury matters?