40. Colonel NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that Members of this House occupy, in virtue of their salaries, an office of profit under the Crown, he will cause to have abolished the ancient practice of appointing a Member who wishes to vacate his seat to another office of profit under the Crown, and allow a Member who wishes to resign his seat to do so by handing in his resignation to Mr. Speaker for consideration by His Majesty?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. The assumption in the first part of the question is incorrect, and the remainder, therefore, does not arise.
Colonel NEWMANIs it not a fact that we come to this House by virtue of a writ issued by the Crown, and that we get our £400 a year by that means?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe writs are issued under the authority of the Crown, but that does not make the Members of this House servants of the Crown in the sense of the Statute referred to.