§ 47. Mr. JAMES HOGGEasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the decision of the First Commissioner of Works and the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury to reduce the status of the Scottish Office of Works; whether, in view of the change thus contemplated, he will take such steps 823 to postpone its actual execution until the matter has been debated in the House; and whether he can give an early day for that purpose?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI cannot agree that the status of the Office has been reduced. The matter could be suitably discussed in Committee of Supply.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs the Prime Minister aware that we have already passed the Estimates for the Office of Works, that this change will be accomplished before next year, and that therefore we shall have no opportunity of discussing it? In view of the circumstances, can he arrange, for example, for an item in the Scottish Estimates to bring the matter up?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy hon. Friend is mistaken. We have not yet got the Vote.