§ SIR R. ASSHETON CROSSasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been drawn to a leading article in the "Times" of 6th June, which states that "an attempt has been made to relieve the Home Office of a part of its work," a scheme for transferring to the Local Government Board the control of business relating to factories, artizans' dwellings, and burials; and, if the statement is correct; and, if so, under what statute such transfer has been made?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTNo, Sir; it is not the fact that anything that could be properly called a transfer of business has taken place, nor do I think that any such scheme would be practicable. It is true that during a pressure of business, my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board had been good enough to render me assistance in looking through Papers; but there has not been, nor could there be without Statutory authority, any transfer of responsibilities to that Board.