§ MR. TREVELYAN (Yorkshire, W.R., Elland)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Lord Chamberlain has yet taken any steps to withdraw his prohibition of the production of The Mikado.
§ MR. HADDOCK (Lancashire, North Lonsdale)At the same time may I ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the decision of the Lord Chamberlain in regard to The Mikado music.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. GLADSTONE, Leeds, W.)The Lord Chamberlain informs me that, having taken the matter into his careful consideration, he has felt justified in deciding, in the circumstances now obtaining, to withdraw the prohibition.
§ MR. GLADSTONEYes, Sir.
§ SIR GILBERT PARKER (Gravesend)May I ask whether the slowness of the operation of the Lord Chamberlain's mind does not seem to traverse the statement he once made in this House that he was not an agricultural labourer?
§ [No Answer was returned.]
§ MR. LEAinquired whether any compensation had been paid to any persons or companies for the loss incurred by them.
§ MR. GLADSTONENo, Sir.
§ MR. PIKE PEASE (Darlington)Is it not a fact that The Mikado music has been played regularly by Japanese bands lately on warships?
§ [No Answer was returned.]
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)Is it contemplated to pay any compensation to those persons and companies who have undoubtedly lost money owing to the prohibition of this play?
§ MR. GLADSTONEI have already answered in the negative.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDIt is very wrong.