HC Deb 16 August 1894 vol 28 cc1245-6
MR. TALBOT

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to a quotation from The Journal des Débats in The Times of the 11th instant, in which it is stated that of the countries in which Anarchist centres are known to exist Great Britain is the only one which has refused to take any steps, continuing to think, as Lord Rosebery has said, that all is quiet; and whether he can assure the House that Her Majesty's Government will do all which the law allows to keep such dangerous liberty within bounds? In putting the question, the hon. Member said that the quotation he included in it when he handed it in at the Table had—no doubt for a good reason—been struck out; but he feared that without it the question did not convey his meaning.

* MR. SPEAKER

The question was revised, and even now the expression "dangerous" is left in, and ought not to have been. "Dangerous" is the expression of an opinion.

MR. TALBOT

I am sorry anything has been left in which ought not to have appeared, but as the question now stands, it does not convey the impression I wish it to convey. The last words are, Whether he can assure the House that Her Majesty's Government will do all which the law allows to keep such dangerous liberty within bounds. There is no previous reference to dangerous liberty.

* MR. SPEAKER

Words were purposely omitted.

MR. TALBOT

May I be permitted to read the quotation?

* MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman may give its purport.

MR. ASQUTTH

Perhaps I may be allowed to answer the question. The attention of the Government has not been called otherwise than by the question to the passage referred to. It appears to be an irresponsible statement by a foreign journalist. No complaint or representation of any kind in the sense of the quotation has been made to Her Majesty's Government by any foreign Government; and the statements in the foreign newspaper, so far as they purpose to be statements of fact, are without any foundation. The policy of Her Majesty's Government in relation to this question was fully explained by the Prime Minister in the House of Lords on July 17, and I must refer the hon. Member to his speech. We think the measures taken in this country for dealing with Anarchists to be at least as well-considered and effective for the purpose as those adopted elsewhere; and we believe the existing law, if administered with energy and discretion, to be adequate both for our own protection and for the performance of our International engagements.