§ 70. Mr. DalyellTo ask the Minister for the Civil Service what action he is taking on issues not covered by his reply to the Adjournment debate on Friday 22 April on the conduct of the Prime Minister's Private Office.
§ Mr. DalyellDoes the Minister recollect that in the Adjournment debate that he courteously answered I referred in detail to the statement by Sir Frank Cooper, former permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence, that Mr. Bernard Ingham ought not to be a civil servant, given the role that he performs? May we refer back to the question posed by my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) and ask seriously whether those who talk in the terms in which Mr. Ingham did over the weekend about the hysteria of the press ought to be paid from party rather than taxpayers funds?
§ Mr. LuceI noted in that Adjournment debate, and again today, that the hon. Gentleman seeks to dredge up old issues that have already been dealt with and adequately answered. He does that because he knows that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has been an outstanding success and is a Prime Minister of great integrity. It is because of that that the hon. Gentleman seeks to undermine the whole position.