HC Deb 15 July 1915 vol 73 c988
52. Mr. DAVID MASON

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will consider the advisability of taking steps to find out the terms of peace which the enemy Governments will entertain; and whether such terms will include the evacuation of Belgium and North-Eastern France?

The PRIME MINISTER

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part, therefore, does not arise.

Mr. S. ROBERTS

May I ask whether questions of this nature are not detrimental to the public interest?

The PRIME MINISTER

That is a matter of opinion, upon which every Member must form his own judgment.

Sir A. MARKHAM

Has not the Prime Minister made a declaration that terms of peace will be given to the enemy when we get to Berlin?

Mr. OUTHWAITE

Is it not the fact that both the Belgian people and the Belgian Government desire to see the Germans negotiated out of their country— [HON. MEMBERS: "Driven out!"]—and their country not blown to pieces?

The PRIME MINISTER

I must really appeal to the House not to sanction in the form either of questions on the Paper or, still less, of supplementary questions, inquiries of this nature.