§ 16. Sir GEORGE TOULMINasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether a Committee has recently inquired into the expenses incurred by the high sheriffs of Lancashire during their term of office; whether the Committee has reported; and, if so, whether he intends to publish the Report?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the DUCHY Of LANCASTER (Mr. Hobhouse)The great difficulty I have experienced in obtaining the services of gentlemen to act as High Sheriff of the County Palatine led me to appoint a Committee, under the chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor of the Duchy, on 10th October, 1912, to inquire into the costs incurred by gentlemen while serving the office of High Sheriff of Lancashire. The Report of the Committee, which I have just received, shows that very great cost is incurred, a good deal of which appears to be totally unnecessary and undesirable. The publication of the Report would depend upon the general desire of Members, especially from Lancashire, to read it.
§ Sir G. TOULMINCan the right hon. Gentleman publish the conclusions at which they have arrived?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEOf course, I shall be very glad to take into consideration the wishes of my hon. Friend and the Members who represent Lancashire constituencies. There are one or two legal difficul- 12 ties in the way which will require legislation before some of this cost could be reduced, and if the House desires information on the point I shall be very glad to give it if I can.
§ Mr. LYELLAre the conclusions of the Committee applicable to other counties as well as Lancashire?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSENo, I think not. Speaking generally, the inquiries of the Committee refer to expenses, which are confined to the county of Lancashire alone.