§ 60. Sir J. D. REESasked whether it is permissible for His Majesty's Ministers to express in public their opinions upon the internal controversies of friendly nations?
§ 61. Mr. OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSONasked whether the Prime Minister's attention has been drawn to a speech by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in regard to the recent Presidential election in America; and what steps he will take to prevent a Minister of the Crown from taking sides in the politics of a friendly Power?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir, I think that references to matters of controversy in foreign countries are better avoided, for fear of leading to misunderstandings, and I have so informed my hon. Friend, who, I am sure, had no intention of departing from a well-established practice.