§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Prime Minister whether it is intended to appoint Lord Justices or guardians for the administration of the Government during the absence of the Sovereign from the realm, inasmuch as His Majesty is not to be accompanied on his visit to Russia by a responsible Minister of the Crown, and cannot accordingly perform any royal act required of him with as much validity and effect as if it were done in his own dominions.
§ MR. ASQUITHThe Answer is in the negative.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Lord Campbell in 1845 said that the absence of the Sovereign from the realm without a responsible adviser was an abeyance of all his functions, and whether on the same occasion Lord Lyndhurst said the Sovereign would be accompanied by a Minister of the Crown?
§ MR. ASQUITHI do not carry that in my memory. Perhaps my hon. friend will give me notice.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI will tell the right hon. Gentleman all about it on Thursday if I have a chance.