§ Q6. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister if he will now move to set up a Select Committee to inquire into the Civil List and related matters.
§ The Prime MinisterI have no statement to make on this subject.
§ Mr. HamiltonDoes that mean that there will be no reference to this in the statement to be made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer after 3.30 cutting public expenditure? If and when the Prime Minister sets up the Committee, will its terms of reference be sufficiently wide as to enable us and the country as a whole to discover exactly what is the total income of the Royal Family and what is and what is not taxable?
§ The Prime MinisterI compliment the hon. Gentleman on his ingenuity, but I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's statement. As for the terms of reference of the proposed Select Committee, there are ample precedents, but the final decision lies with the House itself, which has to vote the terms of reference of the Select Committee and its membership.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonIs my right hon. Friend aware that we shall bear in mind the Question asked by the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) when the hon. Gentleman next asks for a rise?
§ The Prime MinisterI hope that the hon. Gentleman will take note of that statement, whether it be a promise or a threat.