47. Mr. VYVYAN ADAMSasked the Prime Minister if, in the best interests of literature, he will, at the end of the present holder's tenure, discontinue the office of Poet Laureate?
§ Mr. BALDWINNo, Sir.
Mr. ADAMSCannot the right hon. Gentleman in some way protect the cherished reputation of Mr. John Mase-field, and, incidentally, that of William Shakespeare, against a recrudescence of these lamentable lines which it has lately been conceived to be the Poet Laureate's boring and laborious duty to indite?
§ Captain McEWENIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to consider the possibility of handing over, in future, the work of composing such odes as have been referred to, to a Select Committee?