§ MR. HOULT (Cheshire, Wirrall)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state what arrangements have been made for conducting the promised inquiry to consolidate the commercial and trade interests of the country in one Department; what is the present position of the inquiry; and when he expects it to be completed.
§ *THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. RITCHIE,) CroydonThe terms of reference to the proposed Committee will be as follows:—"To consider the position and duties of the Board of Trade and of the Local Government Board, and to report whether any, and, if so, what alterations should be made in the constitution and status of these offices; also whether, in the interests of administrative efficiency, any re-arrangement of duties between these Departments and other Government Departments is desirable." I am glad to say that Lord Jersey has agreed to be Chairman, and I hope to be able to announce very shortly the names of the other members of the Committee.