Engagements

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 4 July 2001.

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Photo of Christopher Chope Christopher Chope Shadow Spokesperson (Treasury) 2:30, 4 July 2001

Does the Prime Minister recall that, at about this time last week, Andrew Mackinlay asked him a rather penetrating question about appointments to the peerage? Does he remember trying to put his hon. Friend down by accusing him forgetfulness? He said:

"My hon. Friend forgets that the independent Appointments Commission has taken away prime ministerial patronage".—[Hansard, 27 June 2001; Vol. 370, c. 638.]

Will the Prime Minister apologise to his hon. Friend for accusing him of forgetfulness given that he himself seemed to forget that he had appointed his own secretary a peeress without any reference whatever to the Appointments Commission and in breach of the rules laid down by him for the conduct of that commission? Is it not about time that we had more accurate answers from the Prime Minister?