HC Deb 25 April 1967 vol 745 cc1328-9
Q4. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Prime Minister if he will now appoint a Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Disarmament to enable Questions to be answered in this House.

Mr. George Brown

I have been asked to reply.

I already answer Questions on disarmament in this House, Sir, and see no need to ask my right hon. Friend for further assistance.

Mr. Pavitt

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the intense interest of many hon. Members in universal disarmament; and that the absorption into both foreign affairs and defence does not always satisfy us? Is he aware that we would like to see the excellent initiative of appointing a separate Minister for Disarmament and for the United Nations followed up by more interest in the House in the subject?

Mr. Brown

I am very much in favour of more interest being taken in the House in the matter. My noble Friend is willing to make himself available to any forum in the House for wider discussion of his work, and I will myself be very willing to answer any questions hon. and right hon. Gentlemen wish to put to me on the subject.

Mr. A. Royle

But in view of the promise made during the 1964 General Election that the Government would take the initiative in disarmament, and the failure of Lord Chalfont to take any initiative whatsoever, will the Foreign Secretary now tell the House what plans Her Majesty's Government have to take the initiative in this important field?

Mr. Brown

The whole premise of that question was contained in the second part of that supplementary question and was completely false, so I do not have to answer the first part.