FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (DUTIES)

HC Deb 17 December 1964 vol 704 c142W

Q24. Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

asked the Prime Minister what are his duties as First Lord of the Treasury, as distinct from his duties as Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister

The First Lord of the Treasury is one of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury and may act as such in the exercise of any functions of the Treasury. In practice he does not by convention do so, though he may share in some of the formal duties of the Lords Commissioners. The Treasury is responsible for all establishment matters, and it is in his capacity as First Lord that the Prime Minister holds Ministerial responsibility for this function, for example in approving appointments to the principal civil service posts. It is as First Lord of the Treasury that a Prime Minister swears allegiance to the Crown.