HC Deb 02 August 1909 vol 8 cc1550-2
Mr. ARTHUR LEE

asked whether the official letter of resignation from the High Commissioner in the Mediterranean contained the reasons which led him to resign his appointment; whether he expressed the opinion that the public expense involved in this post was not justified by the duties and responsibilities assigned to it; whether His Majesty's Government intend to continue this appointment; and whether a copy of the High Commissioner's letter can be laid upon the Table of the House?

Mr. HALDANE

In a confidential letter to the War Office His Royal Highness the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief and High Commissioner in the Mediterranean gave certain reasons for desiring to resign his appointment. These reasons did not appear to His Majesty's Government to be sufficient to justify the abolition of an important post, which had been created after careful consideration in 1907. The Duke of Connaught was, therefore, invited to reconsider the question of his resignation, but to the regret of the Government and the Army Council His Royal Highness in a second confidential letter adhered to his previous request, which has been acceded to with effect from August 1st. His Majesty's Government intend to continue the appointment, which forms a factor of increasing importance in their scheme of organisation for Imperial Defence. In creating the appointment care was taken that no increased expenditure would be caused thereby. The correspondence with His Royal Highness being of a confidential nature, I do not think that it would be in the interest of the public service to lay a copy of it on the Table of the House. Perhaps I may add that I think if I went into the reasons without first communicating with His Royal Highness it would be very unfair and might lead to an intolerable situation.

Mr. ARTHUR LEE

Is it not the case that one of the chief reasons of the resignation was that the public expense (nearly £10,000 a year) was not justified?

Mr. HALDANE

No, that was not the reason. The appointments at Malta and Gibraltar were more expensive than this one, and the old cost has not been exceeded.

Sir GILBERT PARKER

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the reasons for the resignation of His Royal Highness? Does he propose to make a statement con- cerning the usefulness of the office which His Royal Highness held, so that the House may understand the reasons for establishing this particular office in the Mediterranean?

Mr. HALDANE

Later on it will be my duty to do so, but at the present moment I do not think it would be in the public interest to make any statement.

Mr. ARTHUR LEE

Will the right hon. Gentleman say to whom the appointment is to be given?

Mr. HALDANE

At this moment I cannot, but I hope to be able to do so later on.

Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

Will the successor to the appointment receive the same pay and allowances?

Mr. HALDANE

I trunk it would be better for me not to say anything on that question. I shall have to inform the House fully about it later on.