§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Prime Minister what precedents he relied on for the creation of a Deputy Prime Minister; which of the previous Deputy Prime Ministers were Ministers without departmental portfolio; how many of these chaired Cabinet committees; and what committees were involved. [34204]
§ The Prime MinisterThe following are precedents for a Minister acting as Deputy Prime Minister:
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Name Period in office The right hon. Clement Attlee (also Secretary for the Dominions 1942–43; Lord President of the Council 1943–45) 19 February 1942 to 23 May 1945 The right hon R. A. Butler (also First Secretary of State and Minister in charge of The Central African Office) 13 July 1962 to 18 October 1963
The right hon. (Viscount) William Whitelaw (also Home Secretary 1979–83; Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Lords 1983–88) 4 May 1979 to 10 January 1988 The right hon. Sir Geoffrey Howe (also Lord President of The Council and Leader of the House of Commons) 24 July 1989 to 1 November 1990 As I have previously stated, it is not the practice to release the details of Cabinet committees of previous Administrations.