HC Deb 04 June 1833 vol 18 cc376-7
Lord Ebrington

Seeing my noble friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in his place, I wish to put a question to him relative to an occurrence in another place. The question which I desire to put is this:—Does there exist on the part of his Majesty's Government any intention to alter the course of policy to be pursued with respect to the relations subsisting between this country and Portugal? I am aware that a Motion upon this subject will regularly be brought under the consideration of the House by an hon. and gallant Officer on the other side, by means of a Motion, of which he gave notice yesterday; but I, nevertheless, think it essential that the House should be put in possession of the intentions of his Majesty's Government, and should receive from my noble friend an assurance on the subject. I am anxious to receive from my noble friend an assurance that no steps elsewhere taken will have the effect of influencing the policy of Ministers, until this House has had an opportunity of declaring its opinion upon a question regarding which it is as well entitled to express an opinion as the other branch of the Legislature. I repeat, that this House has as good a right as the other House of Parliament to express an opinion upon the foreign policy of this country; and I have every reason to believe, that when that opinion comes to be expressed, it will be found diametrically opposite to that of which we have heard in another quarter; and that not only does a majority of this House think so, but likewise a vast majority of the people who sent us here as Representatives. I consider it, therefore, essential that we should receive from my noble friend an assurance that there will be no change in our policy until this House has had an opportunity of declaring its sentiments. Not only does a difference exist between this House and another body on the question of foreign policy, but I am persuaded also, that differences exist upon several other questions of great magnitude and importance, involving the highest interests of the country; and that on this as well as on other questions, I entertain no doubt that we are sustained by a vast majority of the people of England.

Viscount Palmerston

During the period that we have had the honour to advise the Crown, we have with respect to Portugal, as with respect to all other matters of foreign and domestic policy, pursued that course which we thought most conducive to the interests of the country, and the dignity and honour of the Crown; and so long as we have the honour of performing the task of advising the Crown, we will not depart or swerve in the slightest degree from those principles which have hitherto governed our conduct.

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