HC Deb 11 July 1907 vol 178 cc60-1
MR. LEA (St. Pancras, E.)

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Mr. James Brown Smith, Clifford Park, Stirling, one of the new knights gazetted in the birthday honours list of last month, was a director of the Ayrshire Foundry Company during the time the latter company fraudulently supplied a defective rudder for H. M. S. "King Edward VII. "; and whether it is proposed to take any action against him.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Sir James Smith is a man entirely worthy of the recognition which his public services have received and enjoying the respect of all who knew him to whatever class or party they belong. I have inquired and find that he was a director of the Ayrshire Foundry Company at the time when the circumstances referred to occurred. But he and his fellow directors had no knowledge whatever of the offence which was being committed by their servant or servants, and for which they themselves have suffered a heavy pecuniary loss. The Law Officers of the Crown after careful consideration declined to take any action against the company.

MR BELLOC (Salford, S.)

May I ask whether the name of the servant of this gentleman, for whom he is responsible, can be given to the House?

MR LEA

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it was in consequence of Mr. Smith having been a prominent supporter of the Prime Minister, and acting with the Stirling Liberal Association as chairman of the right hon. Gentleman's election committee, or whether it was in consequence of his having been a director of the Ayrshire Foundry Company, by whom this fraudulent rudder was supplied, or whether it was in consequence of his having paid over money to the Liberal Party Fund, that he was knighted?

*MR. SPEAKER

Questions cannot be asked of the Prime Minister as to his responsibility for any advice he might give to the Sovereign in the recommendation of honours.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I think I can safely leave it to the House to judge.

MR LEA

subsequently asked when an opportunity would arise for discussing the Ayrshire Foundry Company's contract.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN (Worcestershire, E.)

reminded the Prime Minister that the subject would arise on the Report of the Public Accounts Committee for the discussion of which the Chancellor of the Exchequer had expressed a strong opinion that an opportunity should be given.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

said he would look into that and any promise given should be adhered to.

MR. LEA

asked Mr. Speaker if it would be in order to discuss the question of the knighthood conferred on a director of the Ayrshire Foundry Company.

*MR. SPEAKER

said a question of order in Committee was for the decision of the Chairman.

MR WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)

Might not the creation of a few more knights settle the matter?

MR LEA

Will this democratic Government consider the advisability of publishing a tariff before recommending any more people for knighthood?

*MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member had better give notice of his Question.