§ Mr. HOUSTONasked the Prime Minister whether ho has any official information to the effect that the British Ambassador at Washington, United States, America, has joined the Society or Order of Ancient Hibernians; and, if so, whether he will state what action, if any, he proposes to take?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have no information at all from the Ambassador on the subject, and I do not consider it is worth inquiry.
§ Mr. HOUSTONWill the right hon. Gentleman communicate with the British Ambassador at Washington with a view to 873 his contradicting officially the statement that appeared in the American Press that the British Ambassador was present at a largely attended banquet of the Ancient Order of Hibernians; that the British Ambassador's speech referring to Home Rule was rapturously applauded, and that he was elected a member of this Order?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have already stated I do not think the matter is worth inquiry.
Captain CRAIGWill the right hon. Gentleman circularise our Ambassadors abroad warning them against having anything to do with such disloyal societies?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, sir.
§ Mr. CROFTDoes the right hon. Gentleman not consider it inadvisable for his Majesty's Ambassador at Washington to take cue side or the other?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have the utmost confidence in our Ambassador at Washington, who is one of the most distinguished public servants in the State.
§ Mr. LONSDALEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the object of the Ancient Order of Hibernians is the extermination of the loyalist minority in Ireland?