HC Deb 03 March 1971 vol 812 c1704
37. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will examine the feasibility of providing in every parliamentary constituency a publicly-financed and staffed advice centre for the use of the Member of Parliament and local councillors.

Mr. Whitelaw

I have no evidence to suggest that such an expenditure of public funds would be justified.

Mr. Hamilton

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that the Government said that they intended to operate a system of open, honest government, in which the people would be encouraged to participate? Would it not be a great improvement on the existing situation if the Government provided such facilities in every constituency so that, in a situation like we have today with the Post Office strike, members of the public could have ready access to their Members of Parliament without having to rely on private expenditure by the Members of Parliament or their local constituency parties?

Mr. Whitelaw

In the first instance, naturally, anything to do with the facilities of local councillors is not a matter for this House. As for the hon. Gentleman's other points, I do not think, from my own knowledge, that many right hon. and hon. Members are slow in offering all the advice that they can to their constituents.

Sir R. Thompson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a large number of hon. Members on both sides of the House have provided this kind of service for years and will neither need nor welcome the intervention of a horde of bureaucrats to help them?

Mr. Whitelaw

I am interested and glad to hear what my hon. Friend says.