§ Q4. Mr. Ridleyasked the Prime Minister if he will list those persons whom he will consult in drawing up Honours Lists.
§ The Prime MinisterThere is no fixed list of people whom I consult about the drawing up of Honours Lists. It is open to anyone to suggest to me the award of an honour in the half-yearly list, which I recommend to Her Majesty the Queen. I receive proposals for each list from my ministerial colleagues, and I also receive directly a large number of proposals, including many from hon. Members of this House. Each suggestion is carefully considered, and I have available to me for this purpose the advice of my ministerial colleagues and all the Departments of State, as well as eminent authorities outside Government in any relevant field of endeavour.
§ The Prime MinisterThis advice is co-ordinated for me by the head of the Home Civil Service. The final responsibility for recommending the award of an honour in the half-yearly list which I submit to the Queen is mine.
§ Mr. RidleyDoes the Prime Minister remember his right hon. Friend the Member for Huyton (Sir H. Wilson), his predecessor, saying that his policy was not to give honours to politicians? Is that the Prime Minister's policy or not?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not recall that statement. What I do recall is that the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. Ridley) has himself submitted 14 proposals for honours since 1974. I am very glad indeed to have them, and I promise him that any further proposals that he wishes to put to me will receive appropriate consideration.