§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI do not know whether the attention of the noble Earl the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has been called to certain statements made by The Times Correspondent to-day; and, whether he remembers an answer which he gave to me with respect to the attitude of the Sultan as regards the first proposal of the Conference? I do not know if the noble Earl's attention has been called to it; but it appears that the noble Earl was mistaken with regard to the particular measures which subsequent facts have shown were to be taken. I do not know whether the noble Earl wishes to make any explanation with respect to them?
§ EARL GRANVILLEMy Lords, I shall be delighted to make any explanation the noble Marquess wishes if he will give me Notice for another day. I really must say that it is not an idle crotchet of mine to require Notice of Questions, and I very much concur in 351 the view expressed by a Colleague of the noble Marquess the other day, who said he was really astonished at the Government being so ready to answer Questions without Notice, and that he himself made it a rule in Office never to do so. I think it is not reasonable to expect me to answer Questions of great importance off-hand. The noble Marquess knows perfectly well that, without the slightest trouble to himself, he might have given me Notice of the Question in the morning; and the necessity of Notice is obvious when the difference of a word or two respecting what is said here may spread all over Europe.