§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the five year rule is intended to be put in force in the case of Lord Lyons who has been Ambassador at Paris since July 1867; in the case of Lord Ampthill who has been Ambassador at Berlin since 1871; in the case of Sir Henry Elliot who has been Ambassador at Vienna since 1877; in the case of Sir John Lumley who has been Minister at Brussels since 1868; and in the case of Mr. Stuart who has been Minister at the Hague since October 1877; or whether the application of the rule is to be limited to the case of Sir Augustus Paget?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe House will readily see that it is not convenient that I should be called upon to explain how the Secretary of State proposes to deal with the discretion vested in him by regulations adopted on the recommendation of a Committee of the House of Commons, and sanctioned by subsequent votes of the House. In some of the cases quoted by my hon. Friend, the appointments have been renewed for the full term, in some provisionally, and in others the case has not arisen for Lord Granville's decision. My hon. Friend will readily understand that a more detailed or personal statement would be inconsistent with the interests of the Public Service?
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFsaid, as he did not quite understand the answer of his noble Friend, he begged to give Notice that on the earliest possible occasion he should move for a Committee of the House to inquire into the circumstances and salaries of the Ministers mentioned in his Question.