§ 46. Mr. NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether the Conference which is now sitting to consider the Amendments inserted by the Upper House to the Bill to amend the Government of Ireland Bill has been convened to solely consider the area, if any, to be excluded from the terms of such Bill and the duration of such exclusion, or whether the whole policy involved by the abrogation of the Union between Great Britain and Ireland will be included in the subject-matter under discussion?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)I fear I can at present add nothing to the statement which I made on Monday last.
§ Mr. HOGGECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any of those taking part in the Conference attached any conditions to their entry into it?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo Sir, I cannot.
§ Mr. HOGGECan the right hon. Gentleman say why this Conference meets at Buckingham Palace instead of the House of Commons?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir, I cannot discuss these matters.
§ The PRIME MINISTERTime will show.
§ Mr. HOGGEOn account of the unsatisfactory reply of the Prime Minister, I beg to give notice I will draw attention to this on the Adjournment.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI shall not be here.
Mr. PONSONBYI desire to ask the Prime Minister a question, of which I have given him private notice, namely: Whether the King's Speech published last night in the "Court Circular" was drawn up by or published on the advice of His Majesty's Ministers, in accordance with custom and precedent?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Speech delivered by the King was sent to me in the ordinary way by His Majesty the day before. I take the whole responsibility for it. The King left it to the discretion of the Conference to determine whether or not the Speech should be published, and the Conference unanimously decided in favour of publication.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILMay I ask the Prime Minister whether what has been stated in the other House is correct, namely, that the summoning of the Conference was an act undertaken by His Majesty on the advice of the Prime Minister?
§ The PRIME MINISTERHis Majesty the King throughout this matter has followed the strictest constitutional precedent. He has not taken any step from the beginning up to now except in consultation with, and on the advice of, his Ministers.
§ 48. Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister whether he has inquired, or will inquire, by what channel the information about the Conference on the Government of Ireland Bill, which was given to the House on 20th July, was previously conveyed to a section of the Press?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can only refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on Monday last with regard to myself and those for whom I am responsible. I do not see my way to undertake further inquiry.
§ Mr. KINGIn view of the fact that there is a strong political colouring in those papers which had the information, is the Prime Minister aware that that fact has raised a suspicion concerning certain Members of the Conference, and will he not, therefore, in loyalty to other Members of the Conference make some inquiry?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can only speak for those for whom I am responsible. As to them, I say emphatically that we gave no information.
§ Mr. RONALD M'NEILLHas it occurred to the right hon. Gentleman to make inquiries of Lord Murray of Elibank?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat has nothing whatever to do with it.