HC Deb 10 May 1911 vol 25 cc1204-5
Mr. WILLIAM PEEL

asked the Prime Minister whether Sir Ernest Soares retired from the active business of solicitor eleven years ago; and whether, in view of the alleged necessity for securing an Assistant-Comptroller of the National Debt Office with legal knowledge, he could appoint a more competent legal adviser than the late Government Whip from among those solicitors who are still engaged in professional practice?

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

Before this question is answered, may I ask whether the Prime Minister is aware that in 1888 Mr. James Frederick Daly, now an Irish Peer (Lord Dunsandle), and then Private Secretary to Lord Salisbury, the Prime Minister, was appointed to the office referred to in the question, although he had no legal qualifications?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I am satisfied that the legal and other qualifications of Sir Ernest Soares for the post are fully sufficient. I believe the hon. Member for South Donegal is right with regard to the circumstances to which he refers.

Mr. PEEL

Will the right hon. Gentleman be kind enough to answer the specific point in the first part of the question?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I have nothing to add to my answer.

Mr. PEEL

Is not the legal qualification a mere pretence to cover a job?

Mr. SNOWDEN

If it be the fact that Lord Salisbury did make this appointment, does that justify the Liberal Government in a similar piece of jobbery?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

Perhaps the hon. Member did not quite follow the question. It was whether this Gentleman who was appointed was without any legal knowledge, whereas the Gentleman appointed by this Government certainly had legal qualifications.

Mr. PEEL

Was any statement ever made by Lord Salisbury or by anybody else representing the Conservative Government that this Gentleman was appointed for his legal qualifications, as has been stated in the case of Sir Ernest Soares?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

Seeing that he had no legal qualification at all, I should say not.

Mr. MacNEILL

What qualification had the brother of the hon. Member for Taunton when he was put into the Treasury?

Mr. PEEL

Is it not the fact that my brother passed first in any examination he went into, and is he not one of the ablest men in the country?