HC Deb 21 May 1900 vol 83 cc738-9
MR. SAMUEL SMITH (Flintshire)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the principle acted upon by the Examiner of Plays in the execution of his duties is that he is in no way a censor of morals, but that his duty is solely to road all plays submitted, and, in reporting to the Lord Chamberlain whether such plays should be licensed or not, to advise that every play which can possibly be approved shall be passed; and, whether, if this is a correct definition of the present duties of the Examiner of Plays, he will consider the advisability of establishing a stricter supervision.

* SIR M. WHITE RIDLEY

No, Sir. The terms of the question do not correctly define the present duties of the Examiner of Plays. Those duties were accurately defined by Mr. Pigott, the former Examiner of Plays, before a Select Committee of the House of Commons in 1892, and were considered satisfactory by that Committee. The present Examiner has instructions to follow the rules then approved.

MR. SAMUEL SMITH

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the question is drawn from a statement of the present Examiner of Plays in the columns of the Daily Mail last week?

* SIR M. WHITE RIDLEY

It may be that the Examiner made indiscreet remarks in the course of an interview of an unexpected character, but I have asked the Lord Chamberlain and am informed that the instructions are in strict accordance with those set before the House of Commons Committee of 1892 and approved by them.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Will the Examiner be rebuked for his indiscreet remarks?

* SIR M. WHITE RIDLEY

I believe he has already been.