HC Deb 19 January 1987 vol 108 cc594-5
27. Mr. Winnick

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of lancaster how many Civil Service staff are employed in his Office; and in what capacity.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. Norman Tebbit)

Four: a private secretary, an assistant private secretary, a personal secretary and an administrative officer.

Mr. Winnick

Bearing in mind that virtually the whole of the right hon. Gentleman's time is spent at Tory Central Office, one wonders why he needs such a staff. Will he explain to the House why quite a number of his Cabinet colleagues have apparently let it be known that he made the alleged remark, namely, that nobody with a conscience votes Conservative? Why should so many of his Cabinet colleagues wish to do him harm?

Mr. Tebbit

First, although I spend a considerable amount of my time on the affairs of the Conservative party, which is the reason why I am not paid as a Minister out of public funds, I also have a considerable workload of Cabinet work and other work which is the concern of my four members of staff at the Cabinet Office.

Secondly, on the libel, which the hon. Gentleman repeated, I have no means of knowing whether Mr. Young had an informant or whether he invented the alleged quotation himself. However, what I know is that it is a total fabrication and the only doubt is whether it was made up by Mr. Young or by some anonymous, unknown liar.