§ MR. D. A. THOMASI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can now say what form the inquiry to; be instituted into the position of certain public offices and the distribution of the work of Government Departments generally will take; if he will provide by specific reference that a Report shall be made on the advisability of equalising the scales of salaries of first division officials in all Departments in accordance with the recommendations of the Play-fair and Ridley Commission, and will he consider the desirability of suspending any further transfer of functions between the Departments pending the inquiry.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. RITCHIE,) CroydonThe matter is now receiving careful consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement.