§ MR. BIRLEYasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, having regard to the magnitude and variety of the interests involved in the negotiations with France for a renewed and modified Commercial Treaty, he will take measures to afford the utmost publicity to the inquiry now being conducted by the Foreign Office.
MR. GLADSTONESir, I hope the hon. Member will be content with my giving him a general answer, for a general answer is the only answer that can be given. A more particular and pointed Question is going to be put to me next week by the noble Viscount the Member for Liverpool (Viscount Sandon). Before that Question is put, we shall observe the state of things before the Commission, and perhaps I shall be able to say something more. All I can say at present is that the hon. Member himself cannot be more desirous than we are to have the support and advantage of public opinion, and of information from every source. Consequently, to the utmost extent of our liberty we shall desire to associate Parliament and public opinion with us in all the steps we may have to take.