§ Q3. Mr. Bruce-Gardyneasked the Prime Minister what are his plans for the future of the Central Policy Review Staff.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Central Policy Review Staff will continue to carry out the same functions for Ministers as under the previous administration and Lord Rothschild will remain as the head of the unit.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneWill the right hon. Gentleman explain what is to be the precise division of responsibility between the "Think Tank", on the one hand, and Dr. Donoughue and the new political Mafia on the other? Will he also reassure the House that the "Think Tank", for its part, will be encouraged under this administration, as it was under the last, from time to time to point out to the Government where they have not diverged from their election manifesto but would be well advised to do so?
§ The Prime MinisterI join the hon. Gentleman in his implied tribute to the "Think Tank". I am satisfied that it clearly did a remarkably successful job for the previous Government. [Laughter.] Quite seriously, I think that its work is of a high order and of equal value to the present Government.
The policy unit referred to by the hon. Gentleman is working in close liaison with the "Think Tank", but its duties are entirely different.