§ COLONEL HILL (Bristol, S.)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, in consideration of the importance of commerce and agriculture to the Country, and also of the following Resolutions of this House—namely, that passed in 1879:—
That it is desirable that those functions of the Executive Government which especially relate to Commerce and Agriculture should be administered by a distinct Department, under the direction of a Principal Secretary of State, who shall be a Member of the Cabinet;and in 1881—That the functions of the Executive Government which especially relate to Agriculture and Commerce should, as far as possible, be administered by a distinct Department, and be presided over by a responsible Minister of the Crown,Her Majesty's Government is prepared to take steps with a view to giving effect to these Resolutions?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL) (Paddington, S.)In reply to the hon. and gallant Member, I would remind him that a considerable step was taken in the direction indicated by these Resolutions in the change made by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Mid Lothian (Mr. W. E. Gladstone) in the duties of the Office of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; and I cannot say that Her Majesty's Government are prepared at the present moment to take any 1098 step with a view to extend still further the operation of that change.