HC Deb 29 November 1911 vol 32 cc396-7
Mr. MALCOLM

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will announce the names of the Insurance Commissioners for Ireland to the House of Commons before they are given to the House of Lords or to the Press?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

If my right hon. Friend is in a position—as he certainly hopes to be—to make this announcement while this House is in Session, he will adopt the procedure indicated by the hon. Member.

Viscount CASTLEREAGH

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication as to when this announcement is likely to be made and what specific conditions will guide the Government in making the appointments?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

Notice should be given of this question.

Mr. MALCOLM

Does the right hon. Gentleman give me a promise that the House will be first informed of those very important appointments, because the House of Commons is, I think, getting tired. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order."]

Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIEN

May I ask why, as no difficulty was found in naming the Commissioners for England, there should be any difficulty in the case of the smaller country at a time when the House has still some control over them?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I am aware of no difficulty, but I would remind the hon. Member that the arrangements with regard to England were made months ago, but the arrangements with regard to Ireland, Scotland, and Wales were made much later.

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