§ 45. Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Lord Althorp, as leader of the House of Commons and Chancellor of the Exchequer, entered in September, 1831, a protest, in which he was supported by the House, against attempts in the House of Commons to make the Government responsible for statements made by Gentlemen who were not Members of the Cabinet, as contrary to the customs and usages of the House of Commons; and whether the Cabinet, in accordance with this position will decline to hold themselves responsible for the language of subordinate Members of the Government or to reply to Parliamentary interrogation or criticism in respect thereof?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)On the occasion to which, I presume, the hon. and learned Member refers, Lord Althorp was disclaiming Cabinet responsibility for an expression of opinion (on a difficult point of constitutional law) which had been volunteered by a subordinate Member of the Government in the course of Debate. I think that each case must be judged by its own circumstances.
Captain CRAIGWould it be possible for Members of the present Government to arrange roughly among themselves the broad lines of their policy before they allow juniors to go chattering about the country?
§ Mr. BUTCHERDoes the right hon. Gentleman admit the full responsibility of the Government for the utterances of Members of his own Cabinet?
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the right hon. Member for West Birmingham (Mr. J. Chamberlain) has always exercised the greatest liberty of whatever Government he has been a Member?
§ Mr. BUTCHERMay I ask for an answer to my question?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI cannot answer a question put in an abstract form. If the hon. Gentleman will give a concrete case I will consider it.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLWas not Mr. Gladstone's attention directed to a speech of the Member for West Birmingham, and did he not say that it was none of his business to lecture his colleagues?