HC Deb 11 November 1969 vol 791 cc178-9
Q3. Mr. Marten

asked the Prime Minister if he will now define the duties of the Minister without Portfolio.

The Prime Minister

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport, North (Mr. Gregory) on 4th November.—[Vol. 790, c. 92.]

Mr. Marten

As that reply said that the Minister without Portfolio had taken over certain duties from the Paymaster-General, can the Prime Minister say whether he has taken over from the former Paymaster-General two specific duties which the Prime Minister laid down in October last year; namely, first, the participation of the public in the decision-making policies of the Government, and, second, the question of youth? If not, who deals with these questions?

The Prime Minister

With the redistribution of Government functions, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning will be intimately concerned with the participation question in relation to the follow-up of Maud. [Laughter.] There are quite serious people in this country who are interested in the futureof local government, which remained untouched by hon. Members opposite after about 70 years of dithering about the question. Responsibility for youth questions, apart from those relating to education, will be dealt with by my hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, who is also responsible for sporting functions.

Dame Irene Ward

If the Prime Minister is satisfied with these new arrangements, will he please make a note of the fact that I am not?

The Prime Minister

In view of the hon. Lady's ability to be so easily satisfied for 13 years, I am not at all impressed.