HC Deb 12 February 1900 vol 78 cc1233-4
* MR. GIBSON BOWLES

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether Her Majesty's Government will consent to the appointment of a Select Committee of this House to consider the constitution and functions of the Treasury Department, and to inquire how far the exercise of its power in governing every Department of the Government is for the public benefit, and to what extent its claim to a voice in all decisions of administrative authority and policy leads to delay.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I hardly think that so fundamental an inquiry as that suggested by my hon. friend could with advantage be undertaken at the present time.