§ Q3. Mr. Donnellyasked the Prime Minister whether he will now extend his policy of alleviating the burdens of Ministers by appointing two Cabinet Ministers in certain Departments and appoint an assistant Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury to assist him in his duties.
§ The Prime MinisterI am glad that the hon. Member has now come to see the value of certain dispositions which I have made, but I hope that, being a new convert, he will beware of the dangers of excessive zeal.
§ Mr. DonnellyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he should not be so defensive about our kindly thoughts on his behalf? I am not really a convert at all. If he thinks that two Cabinet Ministers sitting in Admiralty House is not a good idea, can he say why two Ministers sitting in great Offices of State like the Treasury or the Foreign Office is such a good idea?
§ The Prime MinisterI have explained that under the dispositions we made in the autumn I was able to make this arrangement by using an office that was at my disposal—that of Paymaster-General. As for the Deputy Prime Minister, as I have already pointed out there is no such post for recommendation to the Crown.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. He and his friends have kept it in mind very carefully.