§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Prime Minister is free to recommend any member of his parliamentary party to join the Government in any position he chooses; or whether his choice is influenced or restricted and if so in what way; and if there is no formal process, whether private consultation takes place and if so with whom.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe)The Prime Minister is free to decide how best to deploy those of his colleagues who form the administration, subject to constitutional conventions and the provisions of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 and the Ministerial and Other Salaries Act 1975.