HC Deb 01 June 1908 vol 189 cc1570-2
MR. H. C. LEA

I beg to ask the Prime Minister if he will say how the Government keep themselves posted as to what occurs at interviews between the Sovereign and any foreign potentate at which the Foreign Secretary, or other Member of the Cabinet responsible to the House of Commons, is not present. The hon. Member complained that the form of the question had been altered by the Clerk at the Table.

MR. SPEAKER

It was I who cut the Question down, and I call on the hon. Member to put it as it appears on the Paper.

MR. ASQUITH

My hon. friend may be assured that the Government are kept informed, and preserve their responsibility for the conduct of all State affairs. The assumption contained in the Question that when a foreign Sovereign stays with the King, or the King with a foreign Sovereign, they should never meet though staying in the same house, or, if they do meet, should only converse in the presence of a Cabinet Minister, is not reasonable.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Is it not a proper assumption and has it not been held again and again that the Sovereign cannot enter into any communication with a foreign Minister or a foreign potentate except in the presence of a Cabinet Minister? I can give the Prime Minister dozens of instances.

MR. ASQUITH

I am not aware of them.

MR. H. C. LEA

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my Question as to how the Government keep themselves posted as to what transpires?

MR. ASQUITH

No, Sir, I do not propose to answer that Question. It is sufficient to say that the Government do keep themselves posted.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Russian Prime Minister and the Russian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs will accompany the Tsar, whereas the King will be unaccompanied by any Minister?

MR. ASQUITH

I do not know what the arrangements of the Russian Government are. I only know of our own arrangements.

MR. H. C. LEA

May I press for an answer to my Question, in view of the fact that Ministers are responsible to this House for what transpires?

* MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member has had his Answer. Anything more seems to be in the nature of argument.