§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT (Derby)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, no opportunity having been afforded to this House of discussing the creation of a new office, by the appointment of an Under Secretary for Ireland, it is intended that the gentleman who now fills that post should exercise Executive and Administrative powers in Ireland during the Recess; and, if so, whether the House will be informed what the character and extent of those powers will be?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)In answer to this Question, I have to repeat very much the replies I gave to Questions on the same subject in April. The relation of the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Ireland to the Head of his Department is the same as that of any other Parliamentary Under Secretary to the Head of his Department. He has not, and cannot have, any independent Executive and Administrative powers and responsibilities; and, therefore, cannot exercise them during the Recess.