HC Deb 13 May 1914 vol 62 cc1092-3
45. MARQUESS Of TULLIBARDINE

asked the Prime Minister whether the late Secretary for War is still attending Committees at the War Office and is still dealing with Army matters; and whether he is still a member of the Committee of Imperial Defence?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the latter part, the late Secretary of State for War is still summoned to meetings of the Committee of Imperial Defence.

MARQUESS Of TULLIBARDINE

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman considers it a sound principle that an ex-Cabinet Minister who has lost the confidence of the Cabinet—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"]—should sit upon Committees which concern the Department that he has just vacated?

The PRIME MINISTER

The right hon. Gentleman has not lost the confidence of the Cabinet.

MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINE

If the right hon. Gentleman has not lost the confidence of the Cabinet, why—

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a long way from the question on the Paper. Sir Clement Kinloch-Cooke.