HC Deb 17 May 1906 vol 157 cc648-50
MR. ASHLEY (Lancashire, Blackpool)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Denman acquitted Madame D'Angely and Sub-Divisional Inspector Mackay stated in evidence that he had made every possible inquiry, with the result that ho found Monsieur and Madame D'Angely bore high characters for respectability, he will direct that an apology be now tendered to Madame D'Angely for the treatment to which she has been subjected; or whether it is proposed, in spite of the above facts, that the charges made by the police are to be repeated before the Commission.

MR. GLADSTONE

I am not in a position to admit the accuracy of the statements contained in the Question. The matter is one which I must leave to be dealt with by the Royal Commission about to be appointed.

MR. ASHLEY

Did not the magistrate acquit Madame D'Angely, and did not the inspector state that she was a lady of the greatest respectability?

MR. GLADSTONE

All these facts will arise before the Royal Commission appointed to examine into the case.

MR. ASHLEY

Is this lady to wait months for an apology?

LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire, Chorley)

Is the responsibility of offering an apology to this lady to be diverted from the Home Office to the Royal Commission?

MR. GLADSTONE

I take full responsibility for the whole, of my actions.

LORD R. CECIL (Marylebone, E.)

Will the Home Secretary take care to have inserted in the Bill conferring powers on this Commission provisions empowering and requiring them to make a preliminary Report on this and the other cases?

MR. GLADSTONE

That is a matter for the Commission to decide. ["No, no."] I may say that if the noble Lord likes to raise the point when the Bill to appoint the Royal Commission is brought in he can do so.

MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)

May I ask, is there any reason why the police should be excused from the common obligation which rests on all people who blunder?

MR. GLADSTONE

That is a question for the Commission. That is a matter which concerns many people, many inquiries, and many Reports, and the whole of the circumstances will be under the review of the Royal Commission. At present I am unable to make any statement on the subject.

MR. SLOAN

Is it a question for the Commission whether an apology is due to this lady or not?

Mr. GLADSTONE

When the Commission reports the hon. Member will see.

MR. VINCENT KENNEDY

Are the three police constables who are implicated in this case still in the service?

MR. GLADSTONE

Yes, Sir.

LORD R. CECIL

And still on duty in Regent Street?

MR. GLADSTONE

I am unable absolutely to say that, but I assume they are.