HC Deb 17 March 1899 vol 68 cc1154-5
MR. D. A. THOMAS

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with reference to his statement that he was often forced in the House of Commons to observe a reticence which he would be glad to discard, whether there is any immediate prospect that the discretion allowed to his predecessors in the Foreign Office of replying to Supplementary Questions will be extended to himself; and whether he is aware of the grave inconvenience caused to honourable Members by reason of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs not being a Member of the House of Commons, and of the Under Secretary not being permitted to supplement his information?

MR. BRODRICK

I believe my observations at Cambridge were correctly reported, but they had reference to the general reticence imposed on the Foreign Office when important negotiations are proceeding, and not to Supplementary Questions. I have endeavoured in reply to Questions to supply the House with the fullest information in my power, and I am confident that all information has been given which could be afforded consistently with the interests of the public service.

MR. D. A. THOMAS

May I venture to point out that the right honourable Gentleman has not answered) the last paragraph of the question?

MR. BRODRICK

I think my answer that the fullest possible information has been afforded to the House is an answer to the suggestion of the honourable Gentleman that grave inconvenience has been caused by Supplementary Questions not being answered.

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