§ 38. Mr. Adleyasked the Paymaster General with which bodies and individuals outside Government it is his practice to consult in the discharge of his ministerial duties.
§ Mr. ParkinsonIt has not so far been necessary to consult any outside bodies in the discharge of my ministerial duties. I would, of course, be happy to meet any interested bodies if they wish to raise with me specific issues relevant to my duties.
§ Mr. AdleyAm I right in thinking that my right hon. Friend acts in the role of banker to the Government? Will he consider taking a lesson from the average bank manager, who has a duty to tell his client—as my right hon. Friend might find it his duty to tell the Government and the people—that if one earns £1 and spends 95p one will be happier than if one earns 95p and spends £1?
§ Mr. ParkinsonMy hon. Friend underlines a point that is brought home forcefully to me, because the public expenditure on which the House votes translates itself in my Department to 35 million banking transactions and cheques. That shows that the public expenditure about which we speak in abstract terms involves a huge volume of transaction and that there is a limit to what the country can afford.