HC Deb 02 June 1908 vol 189 cc1725-6
MR. HENRY (Shropshire, Wellington)

I beg to ask the Prime Minister if he will give an opportunity of discussing Civil Service Estimate, Class 2, Vote 1, Subhead A. (Department of the Lord Chancellor).

MR. ASQUITH

The Vote in question provides only for such portion of the Lord Chancellor's salary as is paid to him in respect of his duties as Speaker of the House of Lords, and whilst what I am about to say is a matter for the decision of the Chair, I do not understand that it would be possible on that Vote to raise any question affecting the discharge of the Lord Chancellor's functions in any other capacity than in his position as Speaker of the House of Lords.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

asked whether any Minister in this House could be responsible for and answer Questions on behalf of the Lord Chancellor in respect of departmental and administrative as distinguished from his Lordship's judicial functions.

MR. ASQUITH

replied that he thought he was responsible.