HC Deb 07 April 1965 vol 710 cc462-3
7. Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Paymaster-General whether he is satisfied with the co-ordination of home information services on the subject of Government statements on incomes; and whether he will make a statement.

9. Mr. Cooper

asked the Paymaster-General whether he is satisfied with the co-ordination of home information services on the subject of Government statements on incomes; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Wigg

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Stratton Mills

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, but can he say whether he enjoys the problems of co-ordinating the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the First Secretary? In particular, can he say what steps he is taking to bring the increases in the cost of living which have followed the Chancellor's two Budgets into line with the policy of the First Secretary, which calls for an incomes policy?

Mr. Wigg

If the question is put in order to determine what branch of my activities I enjoy most, it is exposing the humbug of hon. Members opposite.

Mr. Hogg

May I again ask the right hon. Gentleman to elucidate his reply? Does his affirmative Answer apply to the first or the second part of the Question? In other words, does it mean that he will make a statement, or that he is satisfied?

Mr. Wigg

The right hon. and learned Gentleman might have grasped that I am satisfied.

Mr. Ogden

Does my right hon. Friend consider that the Questions he has been asked from hon. and right hon. Members opposite should have been transferred to the Minister of Sport?

Mr. Speaker

Order. The fact is that this Question has not been transferred. That would not be a matter for the Minister.

Mr. G. Campbell

Is the Paymaster-General saying that, according to the Prime Minister's reply some months ago, he is responsible for answering Questions on the co-ordination of home information services but he is not responsible for co-ordinating those services?

Mr. Wigg

If the hon. Member will look at a copy of HANSARD—I will give him the reference again, 12th November, column 1186—he will be able to draw his own conclusions and answer the question himself.