HC Deb 15 April 1875 vol 223 cc972-3
MR. HANKEY

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it is intended by the Government, in the event of the Prince of Wales visiting India, to propose to Parliament to make such provision as will enable His Royal Highness to discharge such duties as may be considered befitting his position as the representative of Her Majesty with becoming dignity?

MR. DISRAELI

Mr. Speaker, the hon. Gentleman, in his hypothetical Question, makes an inquiry of a somewhat ambiguous nature. The hon. Gentleman inquires— Whether it is intended by the Government, in the event of the Prince of Wales visiting India, to propose to Parliament to make such provision as will enable His Royal Highness to discharge such duties as may he considered befitting his position as the representative of Her Majesty. I apprehend that in the event of His Royal Highness visiting India he would not visit it as the representative of Her Majesty. The Viceroy would continue to fulfil the duties which are attendant on that office. But I may say generally to the hon. Gentleman, that in the event of the Prince of Wales visiting India, and in the event of Her Majesty's Government having to make any public communication on the subject, the House of Commons will be the first body in the country to whom that communication will be made.