§ 27. Lieut.- Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether it is 586 intended to abolish the political office of Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; if so, when will this be accomplished; what will be the anticipated saving to the Exchequer; and what are the present duties and functions of the Chief Secretary?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Churchill)As regards the present duties and functions of the Chief Secretary, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to a question addressed to the Prime Minister on the 9th February by the hon. Member for Chesterfield. The office will cease to exist when the duties and functions belonging to it are completed. The effect on the Exchequer of the change of regime in Ireland which is now being effected, and to which the disappearance of the office of Chief Secretary is incidental, cannot be estimated.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYAre we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman now answering is, in fact, carrying out a great part of the duties of the Chief Secretary? Has he taken over any of the staff of the Chief Secretary?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThat has already been answered by the Prime Minister.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERMust there not be a Chief Secretary or someone to answer in this House for Northern Ireland, which is still under Great Britain?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think that the arrangement, as stated by the Prime Minister, was that the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant during the next few weeks will continue to deal with the winding-up of the affairs of the Irish Office, that I should be responsible on behalf of the Prime Minister for general questions of policy and for the relations of the new Governments, and, so far as the Northern Irish Government is concerned, I understand that it is intended to have representation through the Home Secretary.