HC Deb 30 April 1973 vol 855 cc772-4
3. Mr. Sydney Chapman

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will list in detail in the OFFICIAL REPORT those aspects of the work of the Post Office on which he is prepared to answer Questions.

Sir J. Eden

No, Sir. I follow the rules and practices that govern Parliamentary Questions about the affairs of all nationalised industries. These follow recommendations of the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries and do not lend themselves to particularisation.

Mr. Chapman

Does my right hon. Friend agree that there seems to be con fusion not only on both sides of the House but in the Table Office about what Questions may be asked of him? Is it not reaching the height of absurdity when supplementary questions may, apparently, be asked about matters affecting the Post Office as long as the main Parliamentary Question is prefaced by the remark, "Will he give a direction to the Post Office"?

Sir J. Eden

One has to be very careful about the kind of questions one answers, to ensure that one does not trespass upon the day-to-day management responsibilities of those who have been appointed to run these businesses. My hon. Friend will find much fuller information on this subject if he turns to the conclusions in the First Report of the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries for the Session 1967–68, pages 186 and 187.

Mr. William Hamilton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of us are quite satisfied with the reduction in the number of Questions that can now be placed with the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, thus avoiding the silly little questions—for example, about the late arrival of a letter from Knutsford to London—that we had in the previous Parliament? Does it not follow that he is grossly overpaid and that his salary ought to be reduced?

Sir J. Eden

I have not considered the matter from that aspect. One of the great time-consuming factors involved in my present job is determining the right balance between ministerial responsibility and management concern.

Mr. Gregor Mackenzie

Notwithstanding what the Minister has said about answers to Questions, a number of Questions have been put to him which, in my view, involve other areas—for example, Intelsat and our relationships with other countries on communications of that kind. In the circumstances, would it not be right for him to answer questions of this kind rather than to refer them to the Post Office as he has done in days past?

Sir J. Eden

I endeavour to answer Questions concerned with a wider context than the detailed matter of management. With respect, I cannot give an affirmative or negative answer to the question that the hon. Gentleman has put to me, as that would carry me into just that degree of particularisation which I do not think the rules allow.