§ MR. WILLIAM JOHNSTONI think I ought to apologise to the right hon. Gentleman the First Lord of the Treasury for asking him the question I have put upon the Paper. I have only done so in consequence of the misrepresentations which have been so industriously circulated. [Cries of "Order!"] I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether Sir George Errington, who is now in Rome, has been charged by the Government with a secret mission to the Vatican, in connection with the subject of marriages in Malta?
§ MR. VESEY KNOXOn a point of order, is it not the fact that an hon. Member cannot ask any questions unless he vouches for the accuracy of the facts he states?
§ * MR. SPEAKERsaid, he understood that the hon. Member was not stating facts, but was merely asking for information. [Laughter.]
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThere is no truth in the report to which my hon. Friend refers.
§ MR. JOHNSTONI thought not, Sir. [Laughter.]