HC Deb 06 March 1905 vol 142 cc428-9
MR. GIBSON BOWLES

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether Lord Selborne, First Lord of the Admiralty, has accepted the office of High Commissioner in South Africa on the understanding that the appointment can be cancelled and revoked absolutely by any succeeding Government holding views different from those of His Majesty's present advisers.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

The appointment of Lord Selborne in this and in all other respects follows the customary precedent in such cases.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

There is nothing in the appointment which will preclude a Minister giving such advice with regard to the revocation of such an appointment as he may think fit?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I do not believe it is in the power of any authority short of Parliament itself to put any limits to the advice a Minister may give to the Sovereign.