§ Mr. MacNEILLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Earl of Crewe, on the occasion of the King's recent visit to Berlin, accompanied the King in his capacity of Secretary of State as the representative of the Foreign Office, or simply as a member, as in the case of Sir Charles Hardinge, the Permanent Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, of His Majesty's suite; was the Earl of Crewe present at the interviews on matters of international policy between the Emperor of Germany and His Majesty, and, if so, in what capacity; did he assume ministerial responsibility to the House of Commons in relation to the matters then under discussion and the conclusions which were the upshot of these interviews; and has he communicated to the Foreign Office the results of these negotiations?
§ Sir E. GREYLord Crewe accompanied the King in his capacity of a Cabinet Minister. Any conversations or exchanges of views which take place on the occasion of the King's visits, and which have any official character, are reported and recorded at the Foreign Office.
§ Mr. MacNEILLDid Lord Crewe discharge the functions which the right hon. Gentleman as Foreign Minister ought to have discharged on that occasion?
§ Sir E. GREYNo, Sir; I am responsible for the conduct of foreign affairs, and that responsibility remains unimpaired. It does not appear to occur to the hon. Member to ask who would have been responsible for the conduct of the affairs of the Foreign Office if I had gone to Berlin. That is just as reasonable a question.
§ Mr. MacNEILLI cannot give the right hon. Gentleman the information, but if I could I should tell him that the Home Secretary is responsible.