§ Mr. BYLESasked the Prime Minister what were the duties devolving upon the President of the Council, whose office had just been vacated; and whether, having regard to the proposed augmentation in the salaries of the Presidents of the Local Government Board and the Board of Trade, he would consider the wisdom of making some arrangement by which the duties of President of Council could be transferred or distributed and the salary attaching to that office, or some part of it, be saved to the nation?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe duties of the Lord President of the Council extend to the supervision of all the administrative functions of the Privy Council, which, under a variety of Statutes, Orders in Council, and otherwise, are discharged through the medium of the Privy Council Office or any special Committee of the 28 Privy Council. If my hon. Friend wishes it I will send him details of the duties of this office. The suggestions made by my hon. Friend for a transfer of duties from other Departments to the Lord President of the Council have been considered, but found administratively impossible.
§ Mr. BYLESWill the Prime Minister be as vigilant in reducing salaries which are excessive as he is in raising them when he considers them inadequate?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI hope I shall show an impartial vigilance.