§ 28. Mr. Royleasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give an estimate of the proportion of his time which will be devoted to the work of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Dr. HillAlthough it is not possible to give a precise estimate of the proportion of my time that will be devoted to the work of the Duchy of Lancaster, as the requirements vary from week to week, the hon. Member can be assured that I allow adequate time for dealing with the affairs of the Duchy.
§ Mr. RoyleThis will not do. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there 16 really is some concern in the County of Lancaster as to whether or not its interests will be lost in this welter of coordination in other matters? Will he pay the county a visit and give us the advantage of his "delightful" Lancashire accent?
Dr. HillWhile not promising the linguistic feat to which the hon. Gentleman referred, I may say that the first thing I did on being appointed was to ask the Lord Lieutenant when I might conveniently pay a visit to the Duchy. It has been arranged, and the hon. Member's apprehensions will soon be allayed.
§ 30. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proposals he has for securing economies in his Department.
§ Mr. HughesDoes he mean to tell the the House that he is going to employ more civil servants and increase national expenditure?
Dr. HillThe two specialist officers which I have I share with the Prime Minister, and no net addition in staff is involved.
§ 33. Mr. M. Stewartasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many ecclesiastical appointments, magisterial appointments, and appointments in the public services, respectively, are in the gift of the Duchy of Lancaster.
§ Mr. StewartI recognise that the Chancellor is evidently going to be a rather busy man, but may I ask him whether, by and large, the powers of patronage exercised by the Duchy of Lancaster are greater or less than those exercised by the Duchy of Devonshire?