HC Deb 21 October 1912 vol 42 cc1696-7
45. Earl WINTERTON

asked the Prime Minister, if his attention has been called to the fact that in a recent telegram sent out in his name by the Treasury His Majesty's Government were referred to as "my Government"; and if he intends in future to use this form of words?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)

The actual words used in the telegram to which, I presume, the Noble Lord refers were not "My Government" but "His Majesty's Government," which is the proper and usual form. There must have been some error in transmission.

Earl WINTERTON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the wrong form appeared in practically every London newspaper? I am glad to have the correction.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

Has not the form now objected to been in vogue in both Houses of Parliament for the last century?

The PRIME MINISTER

I think the phrase "His Majesty's Government" is the correct one.