§ 53. Mr. KINGasked on what date Lord Northcliffe was most recently invited to take charge of the new Air Ministry; whether the resignation of Lord Covaray has been accepted; and whether a new Air Minister has been appointed?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe communication between the Prime Minister and Lord Northcliffe was verbal, and I cannot give the exact date of the conversation. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the third -part in the negative.
§ Mr. KINGCan the right hon. Gentleman say—within a week, a month, or two months—when this special invitation was verbally communicated?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not think it necessary to say, but it must have been on a more recent occasion than that, as Lord Northcliffe has only recently arrived from America.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not know that. I have not discussed it with the Prime Minister.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEDid Lord Northcliffe refuse to take office because of the number of incompetent and tired Members in the Government, and has any step been taken to remove that objection?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have not heard of any such statement. The worst of it is that I am afraid that those who are tired do not realise it soon enough.