HC Deb 24 October 1966 vol 734 c633
35. Mr. Marten

asked the Paymaster-General how many home information services he co-ordinates.

The Paymaster-General (Mr. George Wigg)

None, Sir.

Mr. Marten

Could the Paymaster-General explain the meaning of his reply? We are told that his job is to co-ordinate home information services. Was he, for example, responsible for the co-ordination of the remark on the tape today that the Whitehall view is that there is no security risk attached to the escape of Blake?

Mr. Wigg

As far as I understand it, "None, Sir" means "None, Sir". As to what is on the tape, judging by the hon. Gentleman's inability to understand the nature of my duties and in view of the replies that he has already been given, the only assumption that I can make is that he cannot read.

Sir Knox Cunningham

What value is the right hon. Gentleman giving for the salary that he is being paid, and does he now consider himself redundant?

Mr. Wigg

No, Sir. I am a little puzzled to know how that arises out of the original Question. The fact is that the duties of a Minister without Portfolio are exactly the same under this Administration as they were under previous ones. The point of the Question on the Order Paper has been fully answered on a number of occasions.

Mr. Bellenger

In view of the Answer given by my right hon. Friend, may we have his assurance that there is no likelihood of any redundancies in his Department in the near future?

Mr. Wigg

I could not answer that question either.