§ Ql. Mr Nigel Fisherasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the inclusion of Commonwealth and Colonial affairs as one of the new specialist committees of the House of Commons.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Answer I gave on 22nd November to a Question by the hon. Member for Haltemprice (Mr. Wall)—[Vol. 736, c. 1148].
§ Mr. FisherWould the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, when considering these matters, that there is a very considerable House of Commons, as opposed or in addition to public interest, in Commonwealth and Colonial affairs, and that because there is inevitably so little legislation concerning these matters, hon. Members have little opportunity of debating them on the Floor of the House?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. Certainly that will be borne in mind. However, I had better not anticipate the statement which I hope my right hon. Friend will be making in the near future when the House comes to debate these matters.
§ Mr. James JohnsonWould not my right hon. Friend agree that this would be one of the safest committees on which to place independent-minded back benchers, particularly in view of the fact that no element of policy-making is involved from the point of view of drafting colonial constitutional matters?
§ The Prime MinisterI will certainly bear that in mind.