§ Q3. Mr. Peter M. Jacksonasked the Prime Minister whether he will reinstate the Minister of Overseas Development in the Cabinet.
§ The Prime MinisterI have no plans to do so at present, but my right hon. Friend has the opportunity of being present whenever issues in any way affecting the work of his Department are under consideration.
§ Mr. JacksonThat is all very well, but would not my right hon. Friend agree that his early decision to downgrade the appointment caused some consternation outside? Would he not re-look at or re-read Peace Aims pamphlet No. 57 of 1953, in which he will find it argued that the office held by my right hon. Friend the Member for East Ham, North (Mr. Prentice) should be regarded as of comparable importance with that of the Secretary of State for Defence?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think anyone underrates the importance of the task or the way in which the task is performed by my right hon. Friend. I and other Ministers take a close interest in the work of his Department, and he always has full facilities for being present when anything connected with the work of the Department is being discussed.