§ Colonel DAYasked the Prime Minister if it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to return to the system of secret diplomacy, in view of the fact that British and French quarters in Paris are sworn to silence with regard to the conversations that have taken place between the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of His Majesty's Government and the President of the French Republic, also between the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and M. Herriot?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is not the intention of His Majesty's Government to make any alteration in the established practice with regard to the conduct of diplomacy, and the answer to the hon. and gallant Member is therefore in the negative whatever he may mean by secret diplomacy, a phrase that is vague and in some respects misleading. There must always be communications between His Majesty's Government and His Majesty's Representatives abroad and foreign Ambassadors and Ministers in London which are of a confidential character, and the publication of which would lead to strained relations with foreign friendly States; but it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to continue as heretofore to take Parliament and the nation into their confidence to the fullest possible extent and at the earliest possible moment in the conduct of the foreign policy of the country.