§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that between the passing of the Reform Act of 1867 and 1895 no fewer than eleven gentlemen have held the office of Postmaster General, and of these ten had seats in the House of Commons, and only one, Lord Wolverton, who was Postmaster General for 819 six months in 1886, was a Member of the House of Lords; and whether, having regard to the duties appertaining to the office of Postmaster General and the constant supervision of the House of Commons over the Postal Department, the Government, in advising Her Majesty on the appointment of a successor to the Duke of Norfolk, will recommend a Member of the House of Commons.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI believe that the hon. Gentleman's statistics in the first paragraph are accurate, but it does not rest with me to recommend to the Crown the person to fill the office, nor should the question be addressed to me.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLThe gentleman to whom the question ought to be addressed is not in this House. Will the right hon. Gentleman use his potent influence with that gentleman?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am not aware.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLNo official information!