THE EARL OF FIFEasked, Whether it was the intention of the Government to create a Minister for Agriculture according to the promise held out by them? He did not think he needed to offer any apology for introducing this matter, because he did not think the conduct of the Government had been altogether satisfactory with regard to it. If the Bill was ready it should be produced, and he wished to know whether there was any chance of its being introduced in time to be adequately discussed, and to be passed this Session?
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Marquess of SALISBURY)said, that a Question on this subject had been already answered in the other House, and he could only repeat the statements that had been made by his right hon. Friend the Leader of the other House. The Government had always intended to introduce a Bill in the House of Commons, and the noble Earl could gather for himself what were the chances of such a Bill making any progress in the other House at the present time. Of course, it would be possible to introduce the Bill in that House, but the great practical objection to that was that it was eminently a financial Bill. The Bill was quite ready, and the Government hoped before long to be able to pass it through the other House. In the meantime he would consider the matter, and if there was no possibility of introducing it in the other House they must attempt to bring it forward in the House of Lords and to pass it this year.