§ MR. CAYLEYSir, I wish to put two questions to the noble Lord the Member for the City of London, of which, for obvious reasons, I have not given notice. My questions are—first, whether it is true, as reported, that the noble Lord no longer holds the Seals of the Foreign Office; secondly, whether his situation in the Government is at present unconnected with any office to which a salary is attached?
§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLSir, in answer to the first question of the hon. Gentleman, I have to say that it is true that I have resigned the Seals of the Secretary of State for the Foreign Department, and that Her Majesty has been pleased to confide them to the Earl of Clarendon. In 549 answer to the second question, I have to state that I do not at present hold any office in the Government to which a salary is attached.
§ MR. CAYLEYThen, Sir, I give notice, that I shall move, on the first opportunity, and in the way most conformable to the importance of the subject, a Resolution to the effect that, considering the great in crease which has taken place of late years in the business of this House, and the corresponding increase in the amount of labour and responsibility which devolve upon the leader of this House, rendering it next to a physical impossibility that he should con duct the business of this House, and at the same time satisfactorily discharge the duties of one of the great departments of the State, it is desirable that a salary should be attached to the leadership of the House of Commons (an office second to none in the Government), commensurate with its duties and responsibilities, whenever it is held unconnected with any salaried office.