§ Q10. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Prime Minister whether, as on many occasions Members of Parliament are unable to obtain answers to telephone calls made to Ministers or their senior secretaries, he will arrange to accept such telephone calls on their behalf in his own Department?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I would refer to my reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 17th February.—[Vol. 796, c. 99.]
§ Mr. Lewiswill my right hon. Friend please try to arrange that someone is in the Ministerial offices between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. to receive telephone calls? It does not necessarily have to be a Minister or deputy Minister, but there should be someone to receive calls when Members try to get in touch with them.
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend has perhaps not re-studied the answer to which I referred in my main answer. This is a matter for individual Ministers. I do not think that my hon. Friend has ever had any difficulty in trying to contact me at all hours of the day and night. He knows that I am, like other Ministers, eternally at his service and that of all other hon. Members. Indeed, I am frequently at his service here to answer a Question he has tabled and is not always here to put.