HC Deb 21 May 1930 vol 239 cc377-8
48. Viscount WOLMER

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the precise nature of the duties at present allotted to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)

The duties of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster are to control the management of the Duchy Estates and Revenues and also, within the County Palatine of Lancaster, to appoint justices of the peace and county court judges and to direct the administration of the estates of persons dying intestate and without kin and to perform various duties which in other counties devolve upon the Lord Chancellor and the Home Secretary. On several occasions recently the Chancellor has, however, been used for special work, which is not clearly assigned to any particular Department.

Viscount WOLMER

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether the Chancellor of the Duchy has resigned?

The PRIME MINISTER

I understand that that is coming on later.