§ Whereupon Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER (Mr. Maclean), pursuant to the Order of the House of the 12th February, proposed the Question, "That this House do now adjourn."
§ Mr. KINGI gave notice at Question Time to-day that on the Adjournment I 882 would raise the peculiar position of a great public servant. I refer to Lord Hardinge, who is at the present time in a position of extraordinary eminence and responsibility, but upon whom there rests a serious and heavy cloud in the form of strictures that have been passed upon him by the Mesopotamia Commission. As far as I can understand, it is very widely felt in this House, and also perhaps more strongly outside the House, that, in view of that Report, which has been before the public for nearly a week, and which will be debated in this House in the course of the next week, it would have been much better if Lord Hardinge had temporarily retired from his position in the Foreign Office. Apparently, from the answer given to us to-day, though the matter must have come before the Foreign Secretary, and, I suppose, the War Cabinet, Lord Hardinge has not offered his resignation, and it is not proposed that he should do anything but occupy in the meantime, and probably as long as he chooses to occupy, the great position of eminence which he now holds. I have no personal feeling whatsoever against Lord Hardinge, and I would like to say at once that I have very great respect for a great deal in his career— especially in connection with his services to India.
Notice taken that forty Members were not present. House counted, and forty Members not being being present,—
§ The House was adjourned at Nine minutes before Ten o'clock till to-morrow.