HC Deb 07 May 1914 vol 62 cc416-7
2. Sir J. D. REES

asked whether the answers given in the House by the Under-Secretary are given as from himself and upon his authority?

Sir E. GREY

I am not sure whether the words "himself" and "his" refer to my hon. Friend or to myself. The answers given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs are given in the same way and on the same footing as those given by Under-Secretaries for other Departments. Answers to questions on the Paper given by an Under-Secretary are presumably given with full authority on behalf of the Department and the head of it for whom he speaks, and it is so in the case of the Foreign Office as between my hon. Friend and myself.

Sir J. D. REES

In that case what am I to understand the Under-Secretary meant when I asked for the opinion of the Foreign Secretary by saying that if I wanted it I must ask the Foreign Secretary?

Sir E. GREY

I have not seen that particular reference. If the hon. Member will put it on the Paper I will inquire.

Sir GILBERT PARKER

Would it not conduce to a better understanding of the answer if the Under-Secretary would reply on behalf of the right hon. Gentleman rather than on his own behalf as he often does?

Sir E. GREY

I understand he replies in precisely the same way as other Under-Secretaries and in just the same way as I myself did when I was Under-Secretary.