§ Q5. Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Prime Minister whether he will introduce legislation to enable Ministers not in either House of Parliament to be in a position to answer Questions asked by hon. Members about the work of their Departments.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamWill the right hon. Gentleman tell the House when we may expect to have an opportunity to ask Questions of Mr. Frank Cousins? Would not the right hon. Gentleman like to have Mr. Cousins here in the House to hold his hand when trouble arises, and can he say, will it be this year, or next year, or some time—or never?
§ The Prime MinisterI think that I can just about manage to cope with the hon. and learned Gentleman without anybody holding my hand. It is not for me to speculate on the result of democratic elections, but I should certainly point out to the hon. and learned Gentleman that there are abundant and honoured precedents for having Ministers in distinguished positions who are not able to answer Questions in either House. We have not, however, on this occasion taken the unusual step of stopping Parliament sitting until a Prime Minister and a Minister of Science were able to join us.