§ Q2. Mr. Redmondasked the Prime Minister what percentage of the time of his staff is spent in making arrangements for official visits.
§ The Prime MinisterA minute percentage, because most of the detailed arrangements for my visits abroad are made by British representatives overseas, and for visits within this country by the appropriate Departments at regional level.
§ Mr. RedmondI am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply. Will not he consider placing in the Library a list of his future official visits and engagements? This in itself would produce an economy and it would have the added advantage of sparing the Opposition the necessity of putting down stupid Questions of the kind that we see on the Order Paper from time to time?
§ The Prime MinisterCertainly I will give consideration to my hon. Friend's suggestion. But I doubt whether even his advice will be able to overcome the lack of ingenuity among members of Her Majesty's Opposition.
§ Mr. LiptonWould it help the Prime Minister if we formed a nationwide federation of cities, towns and villages solemnly pledged never to invite the right hon. Gentleman to anything?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman always seeks to be helpful. However, he can speak only for his own constituency. I doubt whether he can speak for any other.