asked the Prime Minister whether he will take early steps for rearranging the business at present dealt with by the Home Secretary, the President of the Board of Trade, and the President of the Local Government Board, with a view to creating an adequate Ministry of Trade and Commerce for the purpose of promoting British trade and industry?

This is a question which has often been considered, but I see no reason to depart from the conclusion that has been arrived at that no such rearrangement is necessary.

May I inquire whether the Government is carefully considering the matter as to whether the trade of this country might not somehow benefit from the rearrangement?

As I said, it has been frequently considered most care-fully.