HC Deb 25 November 1971 vol 826 cc1528-9
Q1. Mr. Lipton

asked the Prime Minister where and when the names and salaries of the Central Policy Review Staff will be published; and whether, pending such publication, he will circulate these details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Edward Heath)

The October issue of "Her Majesty's Ministers and Heads of Public Departments" lists names and grades of senior staff of the Central Policy Review Staff. Fuller information will appear in next year's issue of the Imperial Calendar.

Mr. Lipton

May I thank the Prime Minister for having this Question transferred from the Parliamentary Secretary to the Civil Service Department to himself—a very unusual compliment? Will he consider this proposition? Why should we wait so many months before we know what are the salaries of these gentlemen? If the result following their advice is nearly a million unemployed and rocketing prices, have we anything for which to thank this "think tank"?

The Prime Minister

The important thing is that the C.P.R.S. is being treated in exactly the same way as any other part of the machinery of Government as regards the publication of names, grades and so on; and I do not think it would be possible—at least, I do not think right hon. and hon. Gentlemen would wish this—for the document "Her Majesty's Ministers and Heads of Public Departments" to be further expanded to include everyone in the Civil Service. It is a handy volume at the moment. As the C.P.R.S. is a new aspect of Government and does not appear in the current Imperial Calendar, I am prepared to send the fullest information I can to the hon. Gentleman pending the publication of the Imperial Calendar at the beginning of next year.

Dame Irene Ward

As we are now discussing the police force, may I ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that it would be a good thing to have a debate on this in view of the reorganisation which is being carried out, to some extent against the wishes of the police force? I would like to get on with the reorganisation.

The Prime Minister

I will always do everything I can to meet the wishes of my hon. Friend and I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House has noted her request. I would point out that the Central Policy Review Staff is neither responsible for the police nor under its care or custody.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

Would the right hon. Gentleman think again about what is popularly called the "think tank" because there has been a great deal of speculation in the Press about what the "think tank" is discussing and the advice it is giving to him? This speculation is very unhealthy. Will he think again about regarding this as a special organisation, not part of the Civil Service, and when he does that will he make a statement to the House?

The Prime Minister

The procedure is quite clear, that Ministers receive advice from all branches of Government and it is not customary to make that advice public. That has always been the British tradition and Ministers have a collective responsibility thereafter. It is not possible to have one part of Government treated in a different way from other parts.