HC Deb 29 June 1909 vol 7 cc232-5
Mr. HUGH LAW

A few minutes ago I gave private notice of a question which I desire to put to the Prime Minister. The right hon. Gentleman is not now in his place, and I do not know whether I may be allowed to address it to the Home Secretary, who has cognisance of the matter. The question is whether the right hon. Gentleman can now say, as he could not do so two days ago, what reply he has returned to the request to receive to-night a deputation of ladies on the subject of woman suffrage, and whether he and the Government have taken into full consideration the very grave danger to the public peace at the present moment?

Mr. H. GLADSTONE

I am not in possession of any information on the subject from the Prime Minister, and I cannot answer on his behalf.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

May I ask whether it is not a breach or violation of the privileges of the public for a deputation properly appointed to be prohibited from entering the precincts of this House in a perfectly orderly manner and having an inter view with the Prime Minister, and whether it is not a breach of the privileges of the public, especially in regard to the right of petition?

Mr. SPEAKER

I have not considered what the privileges of the public are with reference to interviews. They are of a very shadowy description. I would not like to commit myself on this point without full investigation.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

Is not it the case that the right of petition was assured to the public both in ancient documents as far back as Magna Charta and by an Act passed in the reign of Charles the Second, in which the right of petition is safeguarded by law, and does not that Act apply in the case of the ladies who want to present a petition to the Prime Minister?

Mr. SPEAKER

There is no doubt that the public have the right to petition, but I did not understand that that was the point raised by the hon. Member. He spoke of a deputation, and I do not know whether there is any right on the part of the public to compel a Minister to attend a deputation.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

On a narrower point, may I ask whether it was by your instructions that this deputation of ladies was this evening forcibly prohibited from peacefully entering the precincts of this House? May I be allowed a sentence to explain what I refer to? A deputation of nine ladies was to be appointed to wait on the Prime Minister this evening, and the police, as on former occasions, it was understood, have had instructions to prevent them from entering the precincts of this House. The question I press on you is this, whether it was by your orders and instructions that this action of the police is being taken.

Mr. SPEAKER

I have issued no instructions different from any which have been in force during the whole of this Session with regard to to-day. I am not aware of any occasion.

Mr. WILLIAM REDMOND

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman the Home Secretary whether he would not represent to the Prime Minister that it would be a general convenience to Members of this House, to the public, and to the world at large if he would drop the Budget, and give the votes to women?

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

May I, on the same point, ask the Home Secretary whether it is by his instructions that the police have prohibited this deputation of ladies from entering the precincts of this House this evening?

Mr. GLADSTONE

So far as I know the event has not yet taken place. The police act generally on the Sessional Order under which they are responsible for keeping the approaches to the House open.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

The question I wish to ask the Home Secretary is whether it is under his authority and instructions that a deputation of nine ladies have been prohibited from entering the outer lobby of St. Stephen's Hall this evening?

Mr. GLADSTONE

I have given no instructions.

Mr. HUGH LAW

In view of the replies that have been given, I beg to ask leave to move the adjournment of the House to call attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely the refusal of the Government to receive a deputation on the subject of women's suffrage, and the grave and imminent danger to the public peace that is thereby produced.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member has asked leave to move the adjournment of the House in order to consider a matter of public importance, namely, the refusal of the Prime Minister to receive a deputation on the subject of women's suffrage, and the consequent danger to the public peace. I have to point out that there is nothing new in this subject. This matter has been brought before the House for at least two years, during which the Prime Minister has refused to receive any such deputation. Under those circumstances, I can hardly consider it a matter of urgent public importance.

Mr. H. LAW

May I point out that it is urgent in this sense that it is common knowledge that the deputation will present itself to-night, and it is common knowledge also that the coming of the deputation will be under the circumstances, which are probably known to everybody, probably accompanied by scenes of very considerable lawlessness?

Mr. SPEAKER

That seems to be an additional reason for not discussing it.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

May I ask the Home Secretary on the same point whether he will give the police instructions to see that the deputation of nine members will be admitted to the precincts of St. Stephen's Hall this evening so long as they do not behave in a disorderly manner?

Mr. GLADSTONE

I am not aware at this moment under what conditions the deputation will arrive. So far as my knowledge goes, which has been derived from the newspapers, a deputation consisting of 300 or 400 ladies has been organised to go to this House accompanied by a considerable number of men. I cannot say at this moment what action would be right or wrong for the police to take. They must wait for the time.