§ MR. NORMANI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give any information regarding the state of the negotiations between the British and Chinese Governments in the matter of the Thibetan Treaty.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. RUNCIMAN,) DewsburyMy right hon. friend will be in his place on Monday and will be prepared to answer any Questions addressed to him. On his behalf, in reply to this Question, I have to say that negotiations are at present proceeding with the Chinese Government in regard to the terms of a Convention for the adhesion of China to the Convention concluded with Tibet in 1904, but there 504 is no intention of altering the terms of the latter Convention.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN (Birmingham, W.)Then do I understand that the arrangement announced by the Prime Minister to-day will be abandoned after Monday, and that the Secretary of State will in future answer his own Questions.
§ MR. RUNCIMANNo, Sir. I only said that my right hon. friend would be in his place on Monday and answer Questions as far as he could.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINPerhaps I may address myself to the Prime Minister? I quite understood him to say yesterday that when the Secretary of State was in his place it was his intention to answer Questions. Is that to be adhered to?
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN,) Stirling BurghsMy right hon. friend cannot alter the circumstances and the arrangements of business that make it difficult for him on many occasions to be present in his place at Question time. On the occasions when he is not able to be present, my hon. friend will answer his Questions; but what I understand is that my right hon. friend will be in his place on Monday and will then perhaps himself make a clearer statement than I have been able to make of the arrangements he finds possible in order to accommodate his duty towards the House with his duty to the office and to these whom he is obliged to see there.