§ 47. Mr. COURTHOPEasked whether the Prime Minister's attention has been called to a speech delivered on the 22nd inst., at Goodmayes, by the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, who is reported to have stated that the present limitation of the powers of the House of Lords would remain as it is, even if it did not get made a little narrower; and whether this statement accurately expresses the present policy and intentions of His Majesty's Government?
48. Mr. STANLEY WILSONasked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to a speech delivered by the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in which he stated that, whatever might be done with regard to the composition of the House of Lords, the present limitation of its powers would remain as it was, even if it was not made a little narrower; whether this announcement of the policy of the Government was made with his sanction?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy hon. Friend was expressing his personal opinions, which, as I explained last week, he has a right to do.
Mr. STANLEY WILSONIs the statement a correct representation of the views of the Government with regard to the House of Lords?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI said my hon. Friend was only expressing his personal opinion. I shall make a statement of the views of the Government when the proper times comes.
§ Sir J. D. REESMay I ask whether there is any limitation to the expression of the personal opinions of subordinate Members of the Government?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI must refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave last Thursday.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHAre we to understand that speeches by subordinate Members of the Government are only expressions of their personal opinions?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy hon. Friend said he was expressing his personal opinion.