§ Q6. Mr. Maxwellasked the Prime Minister what functions the Department of Technology has taken over from the Ministry of Education and Science, the 196 Lord President of the Council, the Board of Trade, the Treasury and the Ministry of Aviation, respectively; and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot as yet go beyond the information already given to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science on 5th November. I hope that a further statement will be made shortly.
§ Mr. MaxwellDoes the Prime Minister realise that this is causing a great deal of uncertainty and dissatisfaction to research workers in universities, industry and Government Departments and that I hope that a speedy statement will be made?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir, I am not so aware, but a lot of work is going on on this question which, it will be realised, has been the subject of considerable thought and argument and disagreement over the past two or three years. But only three weeks ago we were being told that some of the workers in these industries thought that decisions were being taken too quickly. We are trying to establish a happy medium between moving too quickly and moving too slowly.
Mr. Deputy-SpeakerOrder. It would assist the Chair in carrying out a difficult job if Front Benchers, like back benchers, did not speak until they were called. Sir Knox Cunningham.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamCan the Prime Minister say whether the new Minister of Technology will deal with the new process of automation in shaving?
§ The Prime MinisterI should be glad to answer the question, but I did not hear the last two words of what the hon. Gentleman said.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamI asked the right hon. Gentleman if he could say whether the new Minister of Technology would deal with the new process of automation in shaving?
§ Mr. HoggCan the Prime Minister tell us when the Minister of Technology will be with us in the House?
§ The Prime MinisterI should think that the period of delay will be rather comparable to that which we all suffered so greatly a year ago when we were waiting for the right hon. and learned Gentleman.
§ Mr. HoggWill the right hon. Gentleman recall the somewhat offensive observations then made from the Opposition benches about the arrangements, and will he accept my assurance that they will not be repeated on this occasion?