§ SIR BALDWYN LEIGHTONasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether the Government is disposed to give effect to the Resolution of the House of last Session in favour of the appointment of a Minister of Commerce and Agriculture, of adequate position and authority, either by a reconstitution of the Board of Trade and a Secretary for Agriculture, or otherwise?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERMr. Speaker, this is a matter which has, of course, been under the consideration of the Government, and communications have taken place between the Departments principally interested in the subject-matter to which it refers. The difficulties and objections which were stated in debate to the very great change which was insisted upon in the House have rather grown than diminished in the course of examination, and we have not been able to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion with regard to the best steps to be taken; but we do hope to be able to make some improvements in the direction of the Resolution of the House, though without going to the full length of that Resolution. I am not able, at the present moment, to make any further statement.