§ Q2. Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on his proposed plan to engage in regular Press conferences.
§ The Prime MinisterI would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given on my behalf to the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) on 9th May.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the Prime Minister aware that that Answer was misleading in so far as this idea originated in the Tory Central Office? Is he further aware that this side of the House would be delighted to have Press conferences if the right hon. Gentleman and my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition were to appear jointly at them? But if the idea was initiated 1132 to polish up the tarnished image of the old grandad, we would have great objections to it indeed.
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman has made his point, such as it is. I hardly think it worth answering.
§ Mr. GrimondIs the Prime Minister aware that, however much we may disagree with him, there are many people who are unwilling to believe that he wants to derogate from the position of the House of Commons, particularly on the day when the greatest commoner is here with us? Is he aware that there is some anxiety that the political system of this country is moving towards a presidential system and that this might be a further step in that direction? Before he considers any such suggestion as this, will the Prime Minister consider the suggestion for giving back more supremacy to this House, in particular by allowing an edited version of our proceedings on television, or by accepting a rather looser discipline from the party machines which dominate it?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that this has gone rather far from the Question. I saw suggested an idea that a Press conference might from time to time be given by the Prime Minister. All Ministers give Press conferences; so, I think, do leading members of the Opposition. Up to now the Prime Minister has rarely done so inside this country, for the reason that Tuesdays and Thursdays are in a sense the opportunity. On the other hand, I do not think it is right that the Prime Minister should necessarily be precluded from giving a Press conference when other Ministers and many other people give them. But that is different from anything like the regular Presidential Press conference which is applicable to a President who has no recourse to and is not a member of Congress.
Mr. H. WilsonSince this kite was flown by the Tory Central Office—presumably with the right hon. Gentleman's approval; one does not know this—is he aware that the answer to the question raised by this proposal was hinted at in the answer he has just given when he referred to his custom of replying to Questions in the House on Tuesdays and Thursdays? Would not all possible complaint and all possible desire on this 1133 matter be met if the right hon. Gentleman would break with his usual practice and start giving a few straight Answers to Questions on Tuesdays and Thursdays?
§ The Prime MinisterIf anybody wished to learn how to give a straight answer it would not be from the right hon. Gentleman.
Mr. WilsonSince the right hon. Gentleman will be aware that this Opposition has stated much more frankly its policy on public questions than his party ever did, and since he refers to answering questions, does the Prime Minister recall the seven very clear questions which I put to him in Scotland during his visit, every one of which he refused to answer?
§ The Prime MinisterThere were seven loaded questions to which the right hon. Gentleman got a very good and fast reply.