§ MR. A. BALFOURasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether he can state the name of the official at the India Office who, "before the late Government had resigned," communicated to the Right honourable Gentleman the Postmaster General information as to the telegram from India received by Lord Cranbrook: and, if not, whether he will make enquiry into the matter?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONI have ascertained that the information which was the subject of the telegram was not received from any official. My right hon. Friend (Mr. Fawcett) informs me that he found that the telegram had been the subject of common conversation 239 in Society, and that the information, whatever it was, appeared to be in possession of a great many persons. I have not thought it necessary to make any inquiry in the India Office as to the source of the information.
§ MR. A. BALFOUROn Tuesday I shall ask the noble Lord, Whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent confidential communications between the Government of India and the Secretary of State in England becoming matters of common Club gossip?