§ 45. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Prime Minister what are the duties of the present holder of the office of Lord Privy Seal, and if it is the intention of the Government to abolish this position?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)As I have explained already, there are no Departmental duties attached to the office of Lord Privy Seal. The duties and responsibilities of the holder of that office are those which fall to a member of the Cabinet, and to a Minister taking part in the conduct of business in another place. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. McGOVERNHave the duties been considerably lessened since the General Election?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, they have not. As a matter of fact, I should like, if it were at all decent, to ask the House to allow me to appoint at, least half a dozen Ministers without Portfolio, in view of the tremendous amount of work which we have to do.