HC Deb 18 February 1964 vol 689 cc1020-1
Q2. Mr. Milne

asked the Prime Minister if he will make it a condition of the appointment of Ministers of the Crown that they shall declare to him the positions in industry held by them at the time of appointment which they are then relinquishing; and if he will publish the information so obtained in a Sessional White Paper.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir, since I do not see what purpose such a condition would serve.

Mr. Milne

Is the Prime Minister aware that the secrecy surrounding the subject of Question No. Q1 is far exceeded by the secrecy surrounding the subject of this Question and that he ought to be a little more forthcoming since there are indications already that this is information which the country should have? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Government are already being linked with the 1918 Government which Keynes described as a group of hard-faced businessmen doing well under Tory rule in Britain?