HC Deb 04 May 1961 vol 639 cc1594-5
40. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Prime Minister if the speech of the Secretary of State for Scotland to the Scottish Conference of the Conservative and Unionist Parties about the responsibilities of Ministers represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland informs me that he did not deal with this subject.

Mr. Stonehouse

Is the Prime Minister aware that the Secretary of State for Scotland gave the impression that he was overworked and underpaid, and that the Glasgow Herald referred to him as a Pooh-Bah? Was it not highly significant that he made his speech on the day after the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in this House that the Secretary of State for Scotland's salary of £5,000 a year was an insufficient income in today's circumstances? What does the Prime Minister intend to do about it?

The Prime Minister

With regard to the first part of the supplementary question—that my right hon. Friend is overworked and underpaid—I think that all hon. Members feel that about themselves. As regards the second part, I think that all my right hon. Friend was saying was that the Scottish Office had a very wide responsibility because it dealt with a very wide number of subjects which in England were given to special Ministers. That was what he was saying.