HC Deb 21 May 1974 vol 874 cc178-80
Q1. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Prime Minister why he refuses to publish details of the individual salaries paid to the staff of Dr. Donoughue's unit.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)

I have already informed the House of the total cost to public funds, including salaries, of Dr. Donoughue's policy unit.

Mr. Hamilton

I know that my right hon. Friend has given the global figure of£35,000. Why will he not give the individual figures? He knows my salary and I know his. Why should we not know the salaries of Dr. Donoughue, Mrs. Carmichael, Mr. Andrew Graham, Mr. Richard Graham, Mr. Richard Kirwan, Mr. David Piachaud, Mr. Adrian Shaw and Mr. Gavin Davies? Either we get them or my right hon. Friend should cease to talk about open government.

The Prime Minister

My hon. Friend and I and all members of Dr. Donoughue's policy unit fully earn our salaries. We have followed the precedent set by my predecessor when, in the case of the appointment of the CPRS, the total figure and the salary of the head of the unit were given, as has been done with Dr. Donoughue but not the individuals. In many cases—whether the CPRS or in this instance—when individual salaries are negotiated regard is inevitably given to what people were previously earning. It has not been the practice in such cases to publish the figures.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

So that taxpayers may know what they are getting for the£35,000, may I ask whether any members of the political Mafia feature with some of the right hon. Gentleman's junior Ministers on the list of those to whom sensitive documents have to be denied for security reasons?

The Prime Minister

For the hon. Gentleman's question to have any meaning would mean that the story he so readily believed this morning was true. In fact there has been no change in the arrangements by which such material is available to those who need to know it— "need to know" is the basis of security— whether Ministers or officials, in the proper performance of their duties. Con- trary to this morning's story, which is totally without foundation, no distinction is made under this Government, any more than I understand there was under the previous Government, on the basis of the individual Ministers concerned, and members of Dr. Donoughue's unit are not Ministers.

Mr. Atkinson

Does my right hon. Friend agree that he has two distinct functions in regard to policy, one as Prime Minister and the other as Leader of the Labour Party? Does he also agree that the function concerning political and policy research should rightly be connected with the Labour Party? Therefore, will he look at the whole question of transferring Dr. Donoughue's staff to the Labour Party, paid for by the Government—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]—and initiate talks with the Leader of the Opposition to make sure that every party represented in this House has equal facilities in the formulation and research of party policy?

The Prime Minister

Not being a schizophrenic, I have never been able to distinguish between the position of Prime Minister and leader of a party, whatever party happens to be in power. That is essential in democracy.

Regarding the formulation of future policy for the manifesto for the forthcoming election, under the constitution of the Labour Party that is a matter for the national executive committee based on the programme from conference and finally approved by a joint meeting of the representatives of the parliamentary party and the national executive committee. My hon. Friend will know that the national executive committee is extremely active in work to that end.

Mr. Hamilton

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the secret nature of the reply, I beg leave to give notice that I shall seek the earliest possible opportunity to raise the matter on the Adjournment.