HC Deb 17 November 1986 vol 105 cc306-7
41. Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will take steps to increase the time devoted to questions to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Mr. Biffen

No, Sir.

Mr. Hamilton

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it is quite scandalous that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster should get a very substantial salary out of the taxpayers' pocket, and yet spend most of his time harrying and bullying the BBC as chairman of the Tory party? Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it absurd that, in the light of those squalid activities, we are allowed only five minutes to question the Chancellor on those activities, with considerable periods elapsing in between each Question Time?

Mr. Biffen

Almost certainly the hon. Gentleman has a wholly mistaken idea of what arises on public funds with regard to the pay of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. In any case, my right hon. Friend is worth every conceivable centime of it. I come to the point of greater substance, which has some relevance to myself, which is the amount of time allowed for questions to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. That is not the consequence of a Government decision. The matter is decided through the usual channels. However, I agree that recently the Church Commissioners had their time extended and I can think of no more noble company for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor.

Mr. Squire

May I tentatively ask my right hon. Friend to reconsider his answer, because only last Friday we read that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster visited Merseyside business men and he must on that occasion have been questioned closely about whether a levy would be introduced for training? My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster would be able from the Dispatch Box to clarify whether it was the fear of business men that the shadow spokesman for employment was telling the truth, or whether it was the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Sparkbrook (Mr. Hattersley) who was telling the truth. We must want to know the answer.

Mr. Biffen

Conundrums of that character would require days rather than minutes of the Chancellor's time. Those are matters that are determined through the usual channels, and I have no doubt that if there is real and substantial anxiety on that point we shall know more about it.

Mr. Williams

Will the Leader of the House confirm that the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in that role receives nothing, and will he therefore confirm what he said a few moments ago in his role as Leader of the House that he thinks that what the Chancellor receives is what the Chancellor is worth?

Mr. Biffen

There is no way of putting worth on the value and activities of my right hon. Friend.