MR. PARKER SMITHI beg to ask the first Lord of the Treasury, out of what funds the Poet Laureate receives his salary, and what is its amount; and, whether any Minister is responsible for his actions; and, if not, whether, in view of recent events, he will consider the desirability of submitting the political utterances of the Poet Laureate previously to publication to the Lord Chamberlain or some other Minister of the Crown.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal S.)asked whether it was not the case that the utterances, political or otherwise, 1265 of a Poet Laureate were always privileged, inasmuch as he held office in substitution for the Court jester or the King's fool. [Laughter.]
§ MR. MCCARTANasked the right hon. Gentleman whether he would consent to submit to the high authorities mentioned in the question the political utterances of his supporters generally. [Laughter.]
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI understand that the salary of the Poet Laureate is £70 a year, and that it is charged on the Civil List. I do not think there is any department of the Government specially qualified to exercise poetical censorship. [Laughter.]