§ MR. ANDERSONasked the First Lord of the Treasury, If the office held by the late Lord Hampton is still vacant; and, if so, whether effect will now be given to the repeated expressions of opinion in this House by abolishing the office?
MR. GLADSTONEHer Majesty's Government have considered the subject of this Question, and they have arrived at the conclusion that, in the existing state of affairs on the one hand, it is not desirable to abolish the office held by the late Lord Hampton; on the other hand, that the nature of the duties attaching to that office are not such as would warrant them in asking Parliament to vote a salary for the holder of it. Consequently, they have made arrangements which they are satisfied will secure the perfectly efficient discharge of the duties of the office. It is proposed—indeed, it has already been arranged—that Lord Enfield should become the head of the Commission in succession to Lord Hampton.