HC Deb 15 June 1917 vol 94 cc1294-5

The first eight questions on the Paper were addressed to the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Mr. HOPE (Lord of the Treasury)

I am authorised by my Noble Friend (Lord R. Cecil) to say that it is impossible for him to be here, and perhaps hon. Members who have questions down for to-day will not mind postponing them till Monday.

Mr. MOLTENO

Are we to have no representative of the Foreign Office here to-day?

Mr. HOPE

I speak subject to correction, but I understand that Members are not entitled to have questions answered on Friday.

Mr. KING

Most important questions relating to foreign diplomacy arise on the Bill which is down for consideration today, and on the back of which the name of a Foreign Office Minister appears. Is nobody from the Foreign Office, or nobody authorised to speak on behalf of the Foreign Office, to be here?

Mr. MOLTENO

In the previous discussion on the Bill attention was drawn to the fact that no representative of the Foreign Office was present.

Mr. SPEAKER

What is the hon. Member's point of Order? He is now entering into a debate.

Mr. MOLTENO

I am asking whether the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, or someone representing the Foreign Office, will not be here for the succeeding proceedings?

Mr. SPEAKER

No doubt someone will be here when the Bill is reached, though he may not be able to be here at Question Time.

Mr. CHANCELLOR

Is there no obligation on the representative of the Foreign Office to be here to answer questions?

Mr. SPEAKER

Not on a Friday.

Mr. LYNCH

I beg to postpone my questions. May I say that I have already a certain number of questions down for Monday, and if I postpone these questions I shall certainly exceed my usual limit. I do not know whether, in the circumstances I can still ask these questions on Monday together with the questions of which I have already given notice?

Mr. SPEAKER

I dare say that there will be some of Monday's questions which will not be pressing, and which can be put off.

Mr. MOLTENO

In postponing my question, may I call your attention to the fact that it affects the Bill to be discussed this afternoon, and that we ought to have an answer before we enter upon that discussion?

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