§ SIR JOSEPH M'KENNAasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he has seen the statements in the morning papers to the effect that an honourable Member of this House has undertaken the duties of Agent General of one of Her Majesty's Colonies without salary; whether he will consider the expediency of making the Law clear on the subject if any doubt exists; and, whether such an office may be held by a Member of this House with the usual salary?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUREI have seen the statement to which the hon. Gentleman refers, and I presume that he will not expect me to give an opinion upon the last of the Questions which he puts to me, and which is rather of a legal character. I am not aware that the Government, at present, has any intention of proposing any legislation upon this subject. If the question were to be undertaken, it would be in the direction of making an alteration in the Statute of Anne; but I will confer with my hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General, and with my Colleagues, on the subject, which is, of course, an important one.