HC Deb 30 March 1971 vol 814 c1357
Q11. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Prime Minister if he will appoint a second Minister in the Ministry of Defence to his Cabinet.

The Prime Minister

No, Sir.

Mr. Dalyell

Is not one of the three or four key members of the Cabinet, who chooses to make a highly provocative speech introducing the Defence Estimates, to be exposed not to the cosiness of the House of Lords but, if necessary, to the ribaldry and hostility of the House of Commons?

The Prime Minister

This is a very old argument, which the hon. Gentleman seems quite incapable of dropping. My right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, who is in the House of Lords, holds that office because I consider him to be a most suitable person as Secretary of State for Defence. As we have a bi-cameral system I believe that it is right to work that system by having senior members of the Government in both Houses.