HC Deb 13 January 1999 vol 323 cc297-8
11. Mr. David Ruffley (Bury St. Edmunds)

What representations he has received regarding the role of Government press officers and spokesmen. [63729]

The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr. Peter Kilfoyle)

I have been asked a number of questions by hon. Members. The Government responded on 11 January to the Select Committee on Public Administration's report about the Government information and communications service. The Committee was due to consider the report at a meeting yesterday and will decide when it should be published. Naturally, that is a matter for the Committee.

Mr. Ruffley

Why will not the Minister investigate the serious allegation that Mr. Charlie Whelan could not discharge his functions as a Government press spokesman because he had been bought by the former Paymaster General, and that the former Paymaster General had paid his wages when the Labour party was in opposition?

Mr. Kilfoyle

That is a bit rich, coming as it does from a Conservative Member who spent most of the 1990s acting as special adviser to that thoroughly discredited Government. It is has been stated clearly that Mr. Whelan intends to retire from his position—[HON. MEMBERS: "When?] He has done the honourable thing on grounds that were never recognised by the Conservative party: that, once the purveyors of the message become more important than the Government of the day's policies, it is time for them to go. We have learnt that lesson; the Conservatives never did.