HC Deb 24 May 1894 vol 24 cc1191-2
MR. MUNDELLA (Sheffield, Bright-side)

Mr. Speaker, I am confident that I shall not appeal in vain for the indulgence of this House to grant me that which is never denied to Members who desire to make an explanation in connection with their personal position. When this House rose for the Recess, Sir, I had the honour of holding a responsible Office in Her Majesty's Government and the privilege of sitting with my colleagues on the Ministerial Bench. As hon. Members are aware, that Office I no longer hold and that privilege I no longer enjoy. While it is not within this House that I can deal with personal considerations affecting this change in my position, I cannot allow it to pass entirely unexplained. When, some weeks ago, my name was first mentioned in connection with certain legal proceedings, I thought it right at once to place my offcial position entirely at the disposal of the Prime Minister. For the generous consideration extended to me by him I desire to make the fullest acknowledgment, and I wish it were within my power to express my sense of obligation and to repay the debt I feel I owe to those with whom I have been recently associated. But, Sir, as time passed on, I recognised that, in the interests of the Office over which I presided, it was necessary that I should reconsider my position. I felt that the public had a right to be assured that the administration of the duties attached to my Office should be free from the slightest suspicion that any conflict might arise between personal and public considerations, and so it was I determined to cease to be the President of the Board of Trade. It may be, some will say, that I should have urged the acceptance of my first resignation. I will not dwell upon the friendly reluctance of the Prime Minister to consent, but I will make one personal confession. Few know how much attraction the discharge of the duties of my Office had for me. I was able to deal with subjects with which throughout my life I had been associated, and to attain results for which I had worked long and hard. To leave unfinished the task a man has set himself to accomplish is a sacrifice I can scarcely exaggerate, and certainly I was reluctant to make it. Having done so, I trust the House will not misunderstand me when I say that, however much I regret the severance from official life, I still enjoy some consolations. My colleagues can no longer be attacked through me, and suspicion, for which there was never the slightest foundation, can no longer attach to my Department. It will be my effort, thus freed, as a private Member of this House, to strive for the same objects and to labour for the same principles in the future as those with which my past life has been identified. One word more. Conscious of right, my mind is fully assured that when all I have done in connection with my personal affairs shall be fully and fairly ascertained, my friends and the public will know, as I know now, that I am entitled to declare that throughout my life, which has been dependent upon my own exertions, I have preserved my character free from stain or dishonour. I thank the House for having allowed me to make this statement.