§ THE EARL OF DARTMOUTHI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps have been taken to give effect to the Report of last year's Joint Committee on War Funds, over which he presided.
§ LORD JAMES OF HEREFORDThe subject inquired into by the Joint Committee was one involving considerations of finance, and therefore the Treasury 1319 had to be consulted. During the present session several Questions have been asked the First Lord of the Treasury as to the position of matters. I do riot think I can do better, in answering the Question of the noble Earl, than to read the final answer given by the right hon. Gentleman to a similar Question on Monday List. Mr. Balfour said—
A scheme has been prepared on the representation of those bodies whose advice and experience was most valuable, including the hon. Gentleman himself, who has bestowed much care on the subject. I hope to introduce a Bill very shortly, dealing; with the Royal Patriotic Fund, and if it proves non-controversial I should hope to be able to pass it this session. I cannot pass any controversial measure on the subject.The noble Earl will, I am sure, see that, as a Bill is about to be introduced in the other House, I cannot now go into details. I trust that the hope that the Bill will be passed this session will be realised.