Captain CRAIGasked the Prime Minister whether he has requested Mr. T. W. Russell to resign his position as Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction, in accordance with the statement made by the Chief Secretary in 1907 that the Govern- 838 ment had definitely and determinately decided that the office should be held by a Member of the House of Commons; and, if not, what is the reason for the delay in securing a representation of the Department by a Minister in the House of Commons?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)When Mr. Russell failed to obtain re-election he placed himself unreservedly in the hands of the Government, and there has, therefore, been no necessity to ask him to resign. The Government have not altered their opinion that the office of Vice-President should be held by a Member of this House, but they value Mr. Russell's services, and hold that a reasonable time should be allowed him to obtain another seat.
Captain CRAIGHow many seats have been vacant in Ireland since this gentleman was rejected by South Tyrone, and can the right hon. Gentleman state what he considers a reasonable time for the House not to be properly treated by not having a representative of the Department in it?
§ Mr. MacNEILLJust to refresh our memory. How long was it that Sir Horace Plunkett held office without a seat in this House?
Captain CRAIGMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he cannot create another peer to make a vacancy?