§ 28. Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Sir Walter Townley, the British Minister at the Hague, recently tendered his resignation; what reason was given for such resignation; and whether the same has been accepted?
Mr. HARMSWORTHI much regret that in a supplementary reply on this matter on Thursday last I unintentionally misled the hon. Gentleman and the House. I was then unaware of the fact that Sir W. Townley had tendered his resignation on14th January by letter to the Secretary of State in Paris. This resignation was accepted, but Sir W. Townley was pressed and consented to remain at his post till the end of the summer. It would not be usual or desirable to discuss in the House the reason which may lead a high diplomatic official to retire from the Service, but there is reason to believe that Sir W. Townley had contemplated for some time such a step.