§ 44. Mr. William Hamilton asked the Lord President of the Council if he will move to appoint a Select Committee on the increase of ministerial patronage.
§ Mr. Edward ShortNo, Sir.
§ Mr. HamiltonWhy not?
§ Mr. ShortThe Prime Minister has answered this question and pointed to striking examples, in recent years, of the contraction, not increase, in the granting of honours for political services.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs my right hon. Friend aware that I am not talking about honours? I am talking about patronage. Is my right hon. Friend not aware that if he looks through the list of Ministers of the Crown he will find that patronage in their hands, for appointments to ad hoc bodies of one kind or another, is quite enormous and is increasing? I should be pleased if my right hon. Friend, with his well-known passion for Select Committees, would appoint a committee of five, preferably with myself as chairman, to look into the matter.
§ Mr. ShortThat body would have to consider appointments to the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and so on.
§ Mr. FairbairnWill the Lord President advise the House whether, in view of Lord Brayley's massive services to the country and the eminent qualifications that entitled him to ennoblement, the Government intend to reinclude him in this Administration?