§ MR. LEAsaid he desired to raise a question of privilege. Last year, in order to draw the attention of the House to a departure from constitutional practice he put down a Question asking the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government adhered to the constitutional rule that in every interview between the Sovereign and a foreign Sovereign or Minister, relating to matters of State he should be accompanied by a Minister of the Crown responsible to Parliament. Neither the Question nor the Answer, however, appeared in Hansard, and being now referred to the Answer then given on 2nd May by the Foreign Secretary, he wished to ask how he could obtain the reply.
§ MR. SPEAKERsaid the matter was hardly one of privilege. The hon. Member was clearly out of time. He should have raised the Question last year. He was afraid he could not give the hon. Member any assistance. He was not responsible for what appeared in Hansard, but doubtless the Department would give the hon. Member a copy of the Answer referred to.
§ MR. SPEAKERAnd still less was I aware.