§ Mr. F. Douglasinquired of the noble lord, whether his majesty's government had adopted any proceeding to prevent the surrender of Parga to the Ottoman Porte?
Lord Castlereaghsaid, the hon. gentleman must see that it would be attended with great inconvenience, if ministers were called on to answer, in the progress of their duty, whether they had, or had not sent out certain instructions. An answer to such a question necessarily involved some notice of the nature of the instructions themselves, and was, in fact, such an interference with the official duties of ministers, as, he conceived, with all deference to the hon. gentleman, could not be considered fair and proper.
§ Mr. F. Douglasdid not mean to ask any question, the answer to which could involve the secrets of government. But, as he thought, from what had fallen on a former night from the noble lord, that government contemplated the step which he had alluded to, he did not conceive that there was any impropriety in the question.
Lord Castlereaghbegged of the hon. gentleman not to be too hasty in drawing conclusions. His majesty's government would pursue that course which appeared to them to be correct.