§ 48. Mr. JAMES HOGGEasked the Prime Minister whether, in making a new appointment to the Laureateship, he will consider the advisability of limiting the appointment to a definite number of years instead of for life; and whether he will, at the same time, consider the advisability of appointing separate Laureates for the separate countries in order to stimulate the cultivation of national literature?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe question has been considered in all its aspects. I am afraid I do not see my way to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestions.
§ Mr. HOGGEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think, in view of the impossibility of any one poet representing all the nationalities in the United Kingdom, that it would be very much better either to agree to some such suggestion as I make or to use the money available for that post for the Civil List in appreciation generally of literary achievements?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think so, but I will consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.
§ Mr. JOYCEWhen this matter comes to be inquired into, will consideration be given to the undoubted poetic ability of the hon. and learned Member for North Armagh (Mr. Moore)?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI shall be glad if the hon. Member will furnish me with a copy of the poems of the hon. and learned Member.