§ Lord Marshasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the normal practice regarding ministerial advice over the appointments to the Royal Household?
§ The Minister of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish)The normal practice is that certain appointments are made on the advice of the Prime Minister. Contrary to my Answer of 4 December (WA 67), the Prime Minister gives formal advice on all political appointments to the Royal Household, on the three Great Offices of State, (the Lord Chamberlain, the Lord Steward and the Master of the Horse) and on non-political Lords in Waiting. Appointments to other senior positions in the Queen's Household are subject to informal discussion with Government Ministers, as in the past have been 135WA some senior appointments in the Household of the Prince of Wales.