§ Q5. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister how many official historians he has appointed.
§ The Prime MinisterNone, Sir. The last appointment was in November, 1962.
§ Mr. HughesWhy is the Prime Minister so prejudiced against history and historians? Does not he think that he has a splendid chance to show that the Tory Government have nothing to fear and nothing to apologise for about Suez by letting us have the truth? Does he not believe that, even if he has no place in politics after the next election, he will have a place in history?
§ The Prime MinisterI am beginning to think that the hon. Gentleman wants the job; but I think that it would be a very biassed history that he would write.
§ Mr. Fletcher-CookeWill my right hon. Friend consider paying historians on piece rates rather than by time? Is it not a fact that a great many of these official historians were appointed a long time ago and are happily soldiering on year after year without producing very much? Could my right hon. Friend bring some urgency into the matter by making their method of payment more attractive?
§ The Prime MinisterI had not thought of that, but I am willing to consider any suggestions.
§ Dame Irene WardWill my right hon. Friend appoint a special historian to write how the Labour Party managed to produce the nuclear bomb without coming to Parliament?