§ Mr. CLAUDE LOWTHERasked the Prime Minister (1) whether his attention had been drawn to the admission made by the Labour party that they were simply setting aside the law, and declined to recognise the decision of the judges declaring that trade union funds could not be used for the maintenance of Members of Parliament; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter? And (2) whether his attention had been drawn to the report of the executive of the Labour party for 1910, which states in regard to the Parliamentary fund that election loans amounting to £1,597 were granted for the financing of candida- 2205 tures of societies affected by the Osborne Judgment; that the loans granted the previous year had been repaid; that these further grants will be refunded in due course; and whether he purposes taking steps to safeguard the interests of members of trade unions who are opposed to union funds being used to finance a political party?
§ Mr. CLYNESHas attention been drawn to the repeated declarations of warlike intentions on the part of hon. Members opposite in the' event of any enactment to set up a Parliament in Ireland?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI believe that the allegations of fact made by the hon. Member in these questions are not admitted, and I have no knowledge as to how far they are accurate. It is in any case not a matter in which the Executive Government can interfere.
§ Mr. CLAUDE LOWTHERWill the right hon. Gentleman examine the statements and see if they are accurate and if they are admitted by the hon. Member (Mr. Ramsay Macdonald); and, if so, will he take steps to prevent the Labour party and the hon. Member from openly violating the laws of the country?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf the hon. Member will forward any information he has to the Attorney-General he will consider it.
§ Mr. CLYNESWill the right hon. Gentleman also suggest to the Attorney-General that information should be ascertained as to the source of the funds of hon. Members opposite?