§ Mr. Gregoryasked the Prime Minister what duties are to be performed by the Minister without Portfolio ; and on what topics he will answer Parliamentary Questions.
§ The Prime MinisterAs my hon. Friend will be aware, it has not been customary under successive Governments to specify in detail the responsibilities of non-departmental Ministers. I can, however, assure him that my right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio is carrying out a wide range of non-departmental duties, including certain duties previously carried out by his predecessor, now Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and by the former Paymaster-General.
In addition, having regard to the heavy legislative programme and the consequent burden falling on my right hon. Friend the Lord President, I have asked my right hon. Friend to assist him as Deputy Leader of the House.
So far as Parliamentary Questions are concerned, my right hon. Friend has taken over from the former Paymaster-General the duty of answering Questions in this House relating to the work of the Civil Service Department and about he co-ordination of home information policy.