§ Q3. Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Prime Minister if he will give additional duties to the Paymaster-General about which he will answer Questions in the House.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)I have no plans for this at this time, Sir.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamWill the Prime Minister be perfectly frank, honest and reasonable—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]— and tell the House why he wants to shield the Paymaster-General from Questions? Surely he has not been served with a D notice?
§ The Prime MinisterI always admire the hon. and learned Gentleman's sense of humour. I shall make a statement about D notices later. The hon. and learned Gentleman will be glad to know that no D notices have been issued by this Government. The last one was issued in June, 1964, but if they were necessary they would be issued. Returning to the hon. and learned Gentleman's Question, I have been considering, in view of the large number of representations made to me about various aspects of life in Northern Ireland, whether I should ask my right hon. Friend to take those Questions.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter at an early moment.