§ Mr. J. G. BUTCHERasked whether his attention has been called to a speech delivered by the Secretary to the Admiralty at Lydney on the 16th instant, in which he is reported to have declared that, subject to a reduction in the maximum duration of Parliament, the will of the people as expressed at the polls must within the life of a single Parliament prevail, and that Radical leaders could not possibly abandon 1439 or even abate this claim; and whether such speech was made with the sanction and approval of His Majesty's Government and expresses the settled policy of the Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy attention has not been called otherwise than by the hon. Member's question to the speech of my hon. Friend, and I am not aware in what context the statements attributed to him were made. In existing circumstances I do not think that I ought to say more in regard to the last part of the hon. Member's question than refer him to what I said in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Kirkcaldy Burghs on 20th June.
§ Mr. J. G. BUTCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman instruct his subordinates not to make any more indiscreet speeches pending the sittings of the Conference?