§ MR. M'KENNA (Monmouth, N.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether Mr. Mills is shortly about to retire from the post of Comptroller and Auditor-General; whether any promise of appointment to this post has been made in anticipation of the retirement of 84 Mr. Mills; and whether there is any foundation for the statement that the Government contemplate appointing a gentleman who has had no previous connection with the Exchequer and Audit Department, and who has had no training or experience appropriate to the important duties exercised by the Comptroller and Auditor-General.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (MR. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester E.)I do not feel called upon to make any statement in regard to an appointment to a place not yet vacant; but when the time comes and the appointment is made I shall, of course, accept all the responsibility.