§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLTo ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in selecting persons to fill the post of Junior Lord of the Treasury, it is customary to choose one from each of the three kingdoms with a view to their exercising a general supervision over the Treasury business of their respective countries which differs in many particulars; and why has this custom, which was first broken on the vacating of the seat of Mr. Anstruther, a Scotch Lord of the Treasury, on taking a permanent Civil Service appointment in 1902, ceased to be observed.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe rule to which the hon. Gentleman refers is, I think, the creation of his own vivid imagination.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLMay I inform the right hon. Gentleman that I took it from Todd's Parliamentary Government of England, and that it can be proved, as to Mr. Disraeli's case, up to the very hilt?
§ MR. HERBERT SAMUELMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he proposes to take any immediate steps to fill up the office?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe hon. Gentleman will have full notice of any steps.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLBefore the right hon. Gentleman fills up the office, will he find out whether I was justified in putting my Question?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have found that out. The hon. Gentleman is not justified.