Final answer:
The policy of salutary neglect by the English Parliament towards the colonies was influenced by Prime Minister Robert Walpole's belief in less government interference in commerce. The crown's distractions with other matters also contributed to the lax control over the colonies.
Step-by-step explanation:
One circumstance that led to the English Parliament's policy of salutary neglect toward the colonies was the influence of Prime Minister Robert Walpole. From 1721 to 1742, Walpole governed with the belief that commerce thrived when not burdened with restrictions. He chose not to enforce economic policies in the colonies, allowing for a period of salutary neglect. In addition, lax control over the colonies was also a result of the distracted nature of the crown, which had to deal with other problems such as wars with France and Spain during the eighteenth century.