§ Q5. Mr. Robert Cookeasked the Prime Minister whether he will appoint an additional Assistant Paymaster-General, with a seat in the House of Commons.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Wigg. [Laughter.] Mr. Cooke.
§ Mr. Robert CookeGood, Sir. Will the Prime Minister relieve himself of the burden of marking all the Paymaster-General's letters "First Lord of the Treasury"? Or does the Paymaster-General really work in No. 10 Downing Street? Does not the Prime Minister realise how disappointing it is to get a letter stamped "First Lord of the Treasury" only to find that it is just another evasion from the Paymaster-General?
§ The Prime MinisterAfter a long wait for that supplementary question, following your intervention, Mr. Speaker, it was rather disappointing. As I understand the question, I am asked, with the enthusiasm for additional Ministers of this Government that hon. Members opposite persist in showing, to appoint an additional Assistant Paymaster-General. However, the existing Assistant Paymaster-General, Mr. Vetch, is a very well-known and distinguished public servant, who is known to right hon. Gentlemen opposite as well, and he has given every satisfaction. It is not necessary to duplicate his post either inside or outside the House of Commons.
§ Mr. OnslowAre the Paymaster-General's duties so onerous as to prevent him from undertaking the next party political broadcast on behalf of the Labour Party?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is not a matter which falls within Ministerial responsibility. Party political broadcasts are invariably handled by the party machines.
§ Mr. BostonDoes not my right hon. Friend think that, in view of the prolonged absences of the right hon. and learned Gentleman who refers to himself as the "shadow" Paymaster-General, the Opposition is in need of an additional assistant "shadow" Paymaster-General?