HC Deb 17 November 1964 vol 702 cc192-3
Q2. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Prime Minister why he has not appointed the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to the Cabinet.

The Prime Minister

As I said in my speech in the House on 3rd November, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who is of course a member of the Cabinet, will among other duties assigned to him have the task of co-ordinating the work of the social services. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance will, of course, attend meetings of the Cabinet whenever the affairs of her Department are under consideration, in accordance with the usual practice.

Mr. Ridsdale

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the direct consequences of some of his financial policies have led to a steep rise in the cost of living? Is he aware that pensioners, whose No. 1 economic priority is stability in prices, would believe that the Prime Minister had that much more in his heart if he appointed the Minister of Pensions to the Cabinet?

The Prime Minister

I am aware that we have taken early action regarding legislation to deal with the problem of old-age pensioners. Secondly, I am aware that in the whole period of the Conservative Government the only Minister of Pensions and National Insurance who was in the Cabinet was Mr. Osbert Peake, now, I believe, Lord Ingleby, who was a member of the Cabinet for only a few months.