Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 10:19 am on 13 June 1980.
The hon. Gentleman has made an important point. I have great sympathy with it. Two points can be made about the Privy Council. The hon. Gentleman has disposed of the political argument. The point about the Lord President of the Council has already been made. However, I am worried about the diffusion of interests. Two Ministers are in the Chamber, representing two different Departments. It may be feared that the authority would be responsible to several Ministers, not one.