HC Deb 04 May 1885 vol 297 cc1492-4
MR. SEXTON

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he is willing to lay upon the Table of the House a Copy of the record made from time to time, and preserved at the Foreign Office, of the proceedings of Mr. Errington on any of his visits to Rome; by whom, and from what material, these records have been made; whether a record is being prepared, or will be prepared, for preservation in the Foreign Office, of the proceedings of Mr. Errington on his present visit to Rome; and, whether communications are passing between Mr. Errington and any Member of Her Majesty's Government with respect to the filling up of the vacancy now existing in the Catholic see of Dublin?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I adhere to the pledge which I was authorized two years ago to give to the House, and which was accepted. The record will be the letters which have occasionally been written to and from Mr. Errington. I have to repeat that Mr. Errington has received no instructions to recommend any Prelate to fill up the existing vacancy in the Catholic See of Dublin.

MR. SEXTON

I should like to ask the noble Lord whether the letter of recommendation to Rome given by Lord Granville has ever been withdrawn; and, if so, whether, in the absence of any formal instructions, Mr. Errington is not in the position of an uncontrolled Plenipotentiary; and, whether there is any other instance of a Representative of this or any other country offering advice to a foreign Sovereign without any communication with his own Government?

MR. T. D. SULLIVAN

In reference, Sir, to the answer just given, in which the noble Lord says that Mr. Errington was not instructed to recommend any Prelate for the See of Dublin, I wish to ask the noble Lord whether Mr. Errington was instructed to object to anyone?

MR. MITCHELL HENRY

And I should like to ask whether it is not in the sole power of His Holiness the Pope to receive or to refuse to receive advice from Mr. Errington, or to decline to grant an audience to anyone?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

With regard to the different Questions that have been asked me, I must request any hon. Members who wish for further information to place their Questions on the Paper, because it is not in my power, without Notice, to give further information.

MR. BOURKE

But, Sir, as a Question arising out of the answer just given, the noble Lord says that the answer which he gave two years ago was accepted. I wish to ask by whom it was accepted? Certainly, it was not accepted by hon. Gentlemen sitting on this side of the House.

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

When I said that the answer was accepted, I intended to convey that it seemed to me to meet with the acceptance of the House. It will be in the recollection of the House that a great number of Questions were asked at that time, and a considerable controversy arose. That controversy ceased as soon as the statement was made to which I alluded just now, and which was made on the authority of the Secretary of State.

MR. SEXTON

asked to whom Mr. Errington addressed the letters which were recorded at the Foreign Office?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I have stated that the records are "To and from Mr. Errington."