45. Mr. FREDERICK HALLasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the growing importance of the question of research into the scientific treatment of coal, arrangements can be made for questions in the House on this subject to be replied to by the Secretary for Mines and not by the President of the Board of Education?
§ Captain Viscount CURZON (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is informed by the Lord President of the Council that it is considered that one Minister should be responsible for answering all questions affecting the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, whether they relate to fuel research or other matters, and that the President of the Board of Education is the Minister to whom this duty is assigned under the scheme, dated the 23rd July, 1915, for the organisation and development of scientific and industrial research (Cd. 8005). The Prime Minister regrets, therefore, that he cannot see his way to making the change suggested by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. PALINGIn view of the inadequate answers given to questions on this subject by the Board of Education, is not this the time to increase the power of the Mines Department rather than to abolish the Department?