§ Q21. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement giving particulars of the new duties he has allocated to the Lord Privy Seal; why details of these new duties were not first announced to the House of Commons; why a Minister in the House of Commons was not appointed to undertake these duties; and on what basis hon. Members will be able to question the 99W Ministerial actions taken by the Lord Privy Seal.
§ The Prime MinisterI have asked my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Privy Seal to make sure that the full weight of the Government is behind the efforts being made to ensure a rapid recovery from the coal strike. No change in statutory duties is involved. My right hon. and noble Friend, as a senior non-departmental Minister, has been working closely with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport Industries and my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry. They will continue to be answerable to this House for the success of the operation.