§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade—(1) whether he is aware that upon the establishment of his Department the House of Commons asserted its right to nominate the members of the Board; and whether he will consider the desirableness of restoring such right to the Members of this House; (2) whether any steps have been taken to fill the vacancy in the constitution of the 2008 Board caused by the abolition of the office of Speaker of the Irish Parliament, or whether it is intended to keep the position open pending the election of a Speaker of the new Irish Parliament; and (3) whether his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury has attended any of the recent meetings of the Board; and, if not, whether he will consider the propriety of relieving his Grace from membership of the Board and substituting a business man more conversant with mundane affairs?
Mr. BUXTONI am not aware that the members of the Board of Trade were ever nominated by the House of Commons. It does not seem to me that this is an opportune moment to fill the vacancy referred to in the second question. His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury has been as assiduous in his attendance as any other member of the Board, except the President.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYWith reference to that answer, which is a repetition of one given by the predecessor of the right hon. Gentleman three years ago, can the right hon. Gentleman tell me the date of the last meeting of the Board?
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYCan the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether there has ever been a meeting of the Board?
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYMay I ask whether it is the fact that the salary of the Speaker of the Irish Parliament is still paid as a supplement to the salary of the Lord Chancellor?