HC Deb 18 July 1963 vol 681 cc723-4
Q5. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster at Rusper on 13th July, regarding Her Majesty's Government's three main policies on nuclear testing, Central Africa and housing, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Q8. Mr. Lipton

asked the Prime Minister whether the public speech of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster at Rusper, Sussex, on 13th July last, relating to the housing target of 350,000 houses per year, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Wyatt

Does that mean that the Prime Minister endorses the statement that there will be no General Election this year, which is what the Leader of the House said in that speech, and was it with the Prime Minister's approval that the Leader of the House left out the Chancellor of the Exchequer as one of the potential candidates for the Prime Ministership?

The Prime Minister

I think that the hon. Gentleman is just trying to have a bit of fun. I have given him my Answer.

Mr. Lipton

Why was it found possible to announce the Government's decision on the housing target in this House while announcing an almost equally important decision about not holding a General Election this year not to this House but to some meeting or other in the countryside?

The Prime Minister

I think that the House has some recollection of the Government setting targets for housing and also being able to reach them.

Sir Richard Pilkington

Does my right hon. Friend consider that the speeches of the hon. Member for Bosworth (Mr. Wyatt) represent the policies of the Labour Party?

Mr. Speaker

It is no part of the Prime Minister's duty to express opinions on matters of that kind.

Mr. Wyatt

The Prime Minister has not answered my question about the General Election. Does he agree with the Leader of the House in saying that there will be no General Election this year?

The Prime Minister

I must leave hon. Members to guess.