§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Ex-echquer whether he can inform the House what is the total of the penalties that have been incurred by Ministers who were reappointed to their offices by the present King should the view of the existing law suggested by Mr. Attorney General be correct.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.When I first saw the question I hoped the hon. Member had discovered for me a new source of revenue. I may tell him, however, that the answer is nil.
§ MR. CALDWELL (Lanarkshire, Mid)I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General whether he is aware that, under the provisions of 54 George 3, cap. 16, the seats in Parliament of persons continuing in office under successive Lords Lieutenant of Ireland are not to be vacated; and whether there is any analogous provision in the existing law relating to the reappointment of Ministers by a new Sovereign.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir ROBERT FINLAY,) Inverness BurghsThe answer to the question in the first paragraph is in the affirmative; to that in the second paragraph, that lam not aware of any; but I may remind the hon. Member that by the Statute of Anne no re-appointment can be necessary until six months after the demise of the Crown.
§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)I beg to ask the hon. and learned Gentleman if he has seen the London Gazette of 24th January, in which I find this statement:—"The Right Hon. Arthur James Balfour was, by His Majesty's command, sworn as First Lord of the Treasury," and whether that does not constitute a new appointment.
§ SIR ROBERT FINLAYI should say not, Sir.