§ 50. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the Prime Minister whether he assumed sole responsibility for rejection by this country of the proposal made by the Emperor Karl of Austria for the initiation of negotiations for peace?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI can make no statement on this subject.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the fact that the documents relating to this matter have been published in the French Press, which disclosed the fact that the Prime Minister supported the proposals of the Emperor Karl, and is it not very essential, therefore, that we should know the whole facts, at any rate as far as they are disclosed to the French public?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWMy attention has been called to the examination before the French Committee. At present I have nothing to add to the answer I have given.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEWhen will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to make a statement showing the attitude taken up by the Prime Minister in this matter?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWe shall be prepared to make a statement when we think it will be to the public interest to do so, and not otherwise.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it not in the public interest that this House and the country should know whether the Prime Minister, on his own responsibility, without consulting his colleagues, was prepared to agree to the terms in the Emperor Karl's letter?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWe must be the judges as to what information we shall publish.
§ Mr. PRINGLEI give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment for Whitsuntide.