§ Q4. Mr. Wallasked the Prime Minister if he will now make a statement on his proposals for the setting up of new specialist committees of the House.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir, but discussions with the Opposition have now begun and I will make a statement when they have been completed.
§ Mr. WallWhen were discussions with the Opposition actually begun? Will the Prime Minister agree that, as the House finds its difficult to give enough time to debate matters like foreign affairs and defence, he ought to consider setting up specialist committees on these two important subjects?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not want to anticipate what might come out of these discussions. There was considerable delay between the Gracious Speech and our being in a position to talk to the Opposition, and then, of course, we had the Recess. We have now started talks, but I do not want to say what is likely to come out of them, particularly as regards specialist committees of this kind.
§ Mr. HeathThe Prime Minister will recognise that the House will be pleased that the meeting we had with him half an hour ago has enabled him to give this interim reply. We now look forward 1236 to the detailed proposals which will come from him as a result of our fruitful discussion.
§ The Prime MinisterI am sure that they will be very fruitful discussions. I have twice taken responsibility for the delay between the Gracious Speech—with the Recess—and commencement of talks. We could have made an approach during the Recess but for the, I am sure, very valuable visit of the right hon. Gentleman to America.