§ 24. Mr. Winnickasked the Paymaster General what proportion of the working week he spends on his official duties.
§ Mr. GummerI would expect to devote as much time to my duties as Paymaster General as is necessary to do them well.
§ Mr. WinnickI must confess that that was an apt reply. Since the hon. Gentleman's main function is to be chairman of the Conservative party, does he not feel that he could have kept the Prime Minister somewhat better informed about the strong feelings of Conservative Back Benchers over student grants and other sensitive issues? When changes are made, will the hon. Gentleman not feel a sense of relief at having given up the job as chairman of the Conservative party, after all the stick that he has received?
§ Mr. GummerThe hon. Gentleman has forecast that event so many times over so many months that I hope to continue to disappoint him year after year.